DAMASCUS: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus on Tuesday to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, marking the first high-level meeting between the two Muslim-majority countries in more than a decade.
The meeting comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in the region, following a decision by Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume ties.
Assad has been politically isolated in the Arab region since the conflict began, but he has gradually been gaining regional support as he has regained control of most of the territory lost to rivals, with the backing of Russia and Iran.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which re-established relations in late 2018, has been leading the charge to reintegrate Syria into the Arab fold.
Several other Arab countries also cut relations with Syria as some powers bet on Assad’s demise.
However, the recent warming of relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria, as well as between Saudi Arabia and Iran, suggests a shift in regional relations.
Saudi Foreign Minister and Syrian President discuss bilateral ties
During his visit, Prince Faisal and Assad discussed ways to improve bilateral relations and address the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
The two countries also discussed the possibility of Syria’s return to the 22-member Arab League after Damascus was suspended in 2011.
Last week, diplomats from nine Arab nations met in Jeddah to discuss ending Syria’s long spell in the diplomatic wilderness.
Assad is hoping that normalisation with wealthy Gulf countries could bring economic relief and money for reconstruction, as wider international funding remains elusive without a United Nations (UN) backed political settlement to the conflict.
Analysts say sanctions on Syria might continue to deter investment.
The meeting between the Saudi Foreign Minister and Assad comes as a potential positive shift in regional relations.
While it remains to be seen if the visit will lead to any concrete outcomes, it is a step towards normalization between two countries that have been at odds for over a decade.
