Syria expects Arab League to be proactive in restoring membership
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A Syrian lawmaker says the Arab League should make the first step in restoring Syria's membership and supporting Damascus.
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League of Arab States (LAS)
Syrian lawmaker Ammar Al-Assad told Sputnik on Tuesday that Syria expects the League of Arab States (LAS) to take proactive steps to restore its membership in the organization, including helping in reconstruction, troops withdrawal, and the return of its resources.
"Syria's opinion on the Arab League is clear. The League should take steps towards [Syria] and support its reconstruction, help in the withdrawal of Turkish and American invaders from the north and east, return to the country its resources like oil, wheat, and gas," Al-Assad indicated.
According to the lawmaker, the Arab League is the side that should make the first move since Syria did not withdraw from the organization voluntarily.
"The Arab League suspended the membership of Syria in order to complement the plot and strike at Libya, splitting the Arab countries," Al-Assad said, considering that the LAS spent significant funds on financing terror groups.
In January, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad noted that the restoration of Syria's membership in the LAS was not a priority for Damascus, but the Syrian leadership was working on establishing and strengthening relations with Arab countries.
The 22-nation Arab League suspended Syria’s membership in 2011 after the war broke out in the country. Several member states then recalled their ambassadors from Syria. Years later, some of them have begun taking steps to reengage Damascus and reopen embassies.
The war in Syria has been ongoing since 2011, with various insurgent groups, including terrorist organizations, fighting the Syrian military in order to topple the government of President Bashar Assad.
