Al-Assad to Arab IPU delegation: Arab mutual interests priority

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received, earlier on Sunday, the President of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, the heads of parliament of the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Palestine, Libya, and Egypt, in addition to the heads of the delegations of the Sultanate of Oman and Lebanon, and the Secretary-General of the Arab Parliamentary Union.  and highlighted the importance of consolidating Arab-Syrian relations, especially following the devastating earthquake that hit the country earlier this month.

In a statement released by the Syrian Presidency, Al-Assad reaffirmed that the Arab Parliamentarian delegation's visit to Syria, on Sunday, meant a lot to the Syrian people.

The visit was a display of Arab nations' solidarity during the harsh conditions Syria is facing as a result of the terrorist war on Syria and in the earthquake's aftermath.

Al-Assad added that this visit indicates that there are effective Arab institutions capable of taking the initiative and advancing the interests of Arab peoples in various circumstances, expressing "gratitude for the fast reaction demonstrated by Arab nations at the popular and governmental levels, to help the Syrian people overcome the repercussions of the earthquake."

Al-Halbousi, for his part, reaffirmed that the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union will use all available resources to assist Syria until it can resume its involvement in the Arab arena.

On Saturday, Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives Mohammed al-Halbousi called upon "all Arab countries, both at parliamentary and state levels, to adopt a final decision on Syria’s return to the Arab diplomatic fold."

He further called on Arab nations to assist Syria with the performance of its Arab, regional, and international duties, work diligently to restore national stability, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and assist Syrian refugees in returning to their homeland. 

"Syria is facing a difficult situation in the aftermath of the February 6, devastating earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives and caused severe damage to public and private properties. We should all assume our responsibilities and help Syria overcome the repercussions of the crisis," Halbousi noted.

Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi also stressed the necessity for Damascus to return to the Arab League, noting that "Syria represents the history, glory, and civilization of the Arab world. Its sufferings have been exacerbated after the terrible earthquake disaster. This requires us to send more humanitarian aid to noble Syrians. We want Syria to act as an active and effective member of the Arab League in its decision-making."

It has been more than a decade since the country was suspended from the Arab League over allegations of a crackdown on opposition protesters that were spearheaded by Western forces in 2011. 

Being one of the six founding members of the alliance in 1945, several countries have been calling for the restoration of Syria's membership in recent years. 

According to Syria's ambassador to Oman, Idris Mayya, a commission that was set up for trade and economic relations between the two countries is set to resume its activities in the near future.

The envoy further said that the sixth session of the joint economic commission is scheduled for later this year in Muscat.

"The meeting will focus on exploring available channels for further advancement of bilateral trade relations," he said.

"The last time that Syria-Oman joint economic commission convened was in Damascus in 2010. It stopped its official activities following the outbreak of Syria conflict. Exchanges of economic, cultural, and political delegations between the two countries, however, continued afterward," Mayya noted.

Read more: Arab parliamentary delegation arrives in Syria in show of solidarity