Iraq welcomes Saudi-Syrian rapprochement, vows coordination
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Baghdad says it is ready to coordinate with the countries of the world to restore Syria's status in the Arab world.
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Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (L) with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad during the latter's visit to Suadi Arabia on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 (Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia)
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the joint Syrian-Saudi statement and pointed out that Baghdad looks forward to the efforts of the two countries to contribute to strengthening solidarity between them.
The Ministry said in a statement that Iraq welcomes any efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis and strongly supports ending it through peaceful means, expressing Iraq's readiness to play a key role in coordinating with world countries to restore Syria's status in the Arab world.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad arrived on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia on the first such trip since the outbreak of the war on Syria.
Syria and Saudi Arabia welcomed the resumption of consular services and air flights between the two countries, affirming the necessity of boosting security and combating terrorism in all its forms and organizations.
"In the framework of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Arab causes, and to boost the interests of the Arab countries and people, and in response to an invitation by his highness, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Syrian Foreign Minister, Faysal Mikdad visited the Kingdom today," a joint press statement published by Saudi Foreign Ministry said at the conclusion of Mekdad's visit to the country.
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#جدة | بيان صحفي مشترك في ختام زيارة وزير الخارجية السوري للمملكة 🇸🇦🇸🇾 pic.twitter.com/RI1oLZkbUI
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) April 12, 2023
The statement pointed out that a session of talks was held between Mekdad and bin Farhan, during which the two top diplomats discussed the efforts exerted to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria that maintains its unity, security, and stability, as well as its Arab and Islamic identity and territorial integrity in what preserves the best interest of the Syrian people.
The joint statement added that the two foreign ministers stressed the importance of solving the humanitarian difficulties and providing a suitable environment to deliver aid to all regions in Syria, as well as availing the proper conditions for the return of Syrian refugees and the displaced to their homeland.
Read more: Source to Al Mayadeen: Syrian FM to visit Algeria, Tunisia next
Restoring Syria's territorial integrity
Mekdad and bin Farhan also affirmed the necessity of boosting cooperation regarding the war on smuggling drugs, as well as the need to support the Syrian State’s institutions to establish its control on its territories in the course of ending the presence of the armed militias and the foreign interventions in the Syrian domestic affairs.
Elsewhere, Mekdad and bin Farhan welcomed the beginning of procedures to resume the consular services and aerial flights between Syria and Saudi Arabia.
Sputnik reported earlier that Riyadh will reopen its embassy in Syria following Eid Al-Fitr. According to the report, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan will visit Damascus ahead of the restoration of the diplomatic mission, during which he will meet with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Syrian officials.
Arab league vote on Syria
In a related context, nine Arab countries are set to meet in Saudi Arabia later this week to discuss moves to allow inviting the Syrian government to attend an Arab League summit next month.
According to sources, the League is currently split on the decision to re-include Syria's membership, with reports stating that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are trying to convince Qatar and Kuwait of its readmission before the May summit takes place.
