Saudi Telecom Company (STC) is optimistic about winning Syria's third mobile licence, the Saudi carrier's chief executive said on Monday.

'Officially, we have received from them that they will inform us of the next date for opening the bids and starting the auction, but we are still waiting,' Saud al-Daweesh told Reuters.

'We are very optimistic ... we connect Syria with the rest of our portfolio, which is 70 to 80 percent of the Muslim world.'  - Reuters