The new administration's approach to governing must include "different groups" and women, and "no radicalization", the European Union's foreign-policy chief said.

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the main rebel group in the alliance that overthrew Assad, is pushing for sanctions relief. His administration is represented at the Riyadh talks by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

Saudi Arabia held a meeting with leading diplomats of the European Union. The main topic was Syria, NBC News reports. According to the news outlet, European and Middle Eastern diplomats met in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss the future of Syria.

Six member states of the European Union have called for the bloc to temporarily suspend sanctions on Syria in areas such as transport, energy and banking, according to a paper seen by Reuters. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss relaxing Syria sanctions during a meeting in Brussels on Jan.