Historic Saudi-Syrian Meeting Signals Regional Reintegration

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin (Twitter/KSAMOFA)Farhan (L) with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus

RIYADH- In a major move towards ending Syria's regional isolation, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Tuesday. This marked the first visit by a top diplomat from Saudi Arabia since ties were severed following Assad's crackdown on protesters in 2011, which escalated into a decade-long civil war.

The meeting focused on steps necessary for a political resolution to the Syrian conflict, preserving Syria's Arab identity, and reintegrating the country into "its Arab surroundings." Assad praised Saudi Arabia's "open and realistic policies" for benefiting the region, according to Syria's state news agency.

While the Arab League summit, set to take place in Riyadh next month, was not mentioned in official statements, recent discussions among Gulf Arab foreign ministers and representatives from Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan indicate that Syria's potential return to the Arab League is under consideration. Syria was suspended from the 22-member organization in 2011.

Saudi Arabia and Syria have agreed to resume diplomatic ties following a visit to the kingdom by Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad last week. The recent flurry of political activity comes from shifting regional relations, with Saudi Arabia and Iran, a key ally of Damascus, also deciding to restore ties.

The United Arab Emirates has led efforts to reintegrate Syria into the Arab fold since re-establishing ties in late 2018. With the support of Iran and Russia, Assad has regained control over much of Syria, prompting Saudi Arabia to acknowledge that isolating the Syrian leader has been ineffective.

GAROWE ONLINE