Iran: Syria's return to Arab League reflects region's will for peace

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 May 2023 11:19

Iran, Russia, and Palestinian resistance movement Hamas laud Syria's return to the Arab League, noting that stronger regional unity is required to address "Israel's" ambitions for colonial expansion.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry speaks during an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo on May 7, 2023. (AFP)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement on Monday morning that Syria's return to the Arab League reflected the Muslim world's will and determination to restore regional peace and stability.

"Settlement of disputes among Muslim countries, as well as convergence and synergy among them, will deliver favorable results for collective stability and peace and will pave the way for reducing foreign profit-seeking interferences in regional affairs," Kanaani said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes such an approach," he added.

On Sunday, the Council of the Arab League announced its readmission of Syria as a full member, 12 years after suspending its membership following the start of the war on the country.

The foreign ministers of thirteen Arab states gathered in Cairo on Sunday to issue the announcement after a vote was held on Syria's reintegration.

The absence of all Arab delegates meant that there is still no consensus regarding the restoration of diplomatic ties with Damascus.

Some of the representatives who did not attend the meeting included Qatar.

Hamas welcomes Syria's return

Palestine's resistance movement Hamas greeted Syria's return to the League, noting that stronger regional unity is required to address "Israel's" ambitions for colonial expansion.

"We welcome the decision by foreign ministers of Arab countries to reinstate Syria’s membership in the Arab League," Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for the resistance movement, said.

"We hope all repercussions of the Syrian crisis will be addressed as soon as possible," he added while calling for "stronger interactions among all components of the Muslim world in order to further consolidate their position in the face of trans-regional colonial ambitions, the foremost of which is the expansionist Zionist scheme."

Russia lauds Syria's return

Russia has also expressed optimism with regards to Syria's reintegration.

“We think that the decision of the Council of Arab League Foreign Ministers has demonstrated the Arab countries’ aspiration to bolster coordination of actions in the interests of settling pertinent regional and international issues and confirmed their intent to continue conducting their independent policy on the global stage based on their core interests in the future,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Sunday.

Prior to Sunday's vote, a number of Arab diplomats had met in Jordan to discuss Syria's reintegration into the League.

After the meeting was concluded, Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Al-Safadi, reportedly told Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, over a phone call that the meeting which was held in Amman is very important for effectively resolving the Syrian crisis: noting that a solution to the crisis needs to be consistent with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.