Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Netanyahu: If Lebanese Army takes steps to disarm Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including phased reduction of Israeli military presence in Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Photojournalist Houssam Al-Masri martyred, reporters Hatem Omar, Mohammad Ashraf Salameh injured in Israeli strike on Nasser Medical Complex.
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace

Syria, Saudi Arabia agree on resuming consular services, air flights

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Apr 2023 01:38
6 Min Read

The Syrian and Saudi FMs hold talks during which they discussed the efforts exerted to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

  • x
  • Syria, Saudi Arabia
    Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

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, Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported on Wednesday.

"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 the Saudi Foreign Ministry said at the conclusion of al-Miqdad's visit to Saudi Arabia.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad on Wednesday arrived in Saudi Arabia on the first such trip since the outbreak of the war on Syria.

#جدة | جانب من استقبال سمو وزير الخارجية الأمير #فيصل_بن_فرحان @FaisalbinFarhan لوزير خارجية الجمهورية العربية السورية الشقيقة معالي الدكتور فيصل المقداد 🇸🇾🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/k98pAAEkFU

— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) April 12, 2023

The statement pointed out that a session of talks was held between al-Miqdad 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, ending their suffering and taking more procedures that help stabilize the situation across Syrian territory.

According to the statement, al-Miqdad 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.

#جدة | سمو وزير الخارجية الأمير #فيصل_بن_فرحان @FaisalbinFarhan يستقبل وزير خارجية الجمهورية العربية السورية الشقيقة معالي الدكتور فيصل المقداد 🇸🇾🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/q7SYZCVsOy

— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) April 12, 2023

"The two sides discussed the steps needed to achieve a comprehensive political settlement in Syria that ends all its repercussions, realizes the national reconciliation, and helps Syria return to its Arab surroundings and resume its normal role in the Arab nation," the statement said.

Elsewhere, al-Miqdad and bin Farhan welcomed the beginning of procedures to resume the consular services and aerial flights between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

The Syrian Foreign Minister also expressed Syria’s appreciation for the efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia to end the crisis in Syria and the humanitarian aid it is providing to the earthquake-affected people.

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.

Over the past few months, there has been increasing engagement with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Damascus.

Related News

Sheikh Tarif declined meeting with al-Shaibani, Dermer, Barrack

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

The Syrian President has visited the UAE and Oman this year and last month Saudi Arabia said it has started talks with Damascus about resuming consular services.

In a related context, nine Arab countries are set to meet in Saudi Arabia later this week to discuss moves to allow the invitation of 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.

A spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry told reporters that Qatari diplomat Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani would attend the Arab Gulf meeting on Syria but said that Qatar’s stance on its readmission remained unchanged.

Earlier, Qatar Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari confirmed that ministers and top officials from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates -- and Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan have been invited to the summit.

Last week, CNN reported that CIA director William Burns made an unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia to express his frustration that peace was breaking out in the Middle East against Washington's wishes. 

The Wall Street Journal cited sources familiar with the matter as saying that Burns expressed frustration with the Saudis and told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the US has felt blindsided by Riyadh’s rapprochement with Iran and Syria under the auspices of Washington’s global rivals.

Source to Al Mayadeen: Syrian FM to visit Algeria, Tunisia next

Earlier, an official Algerian source disclosed to Al Mayadeen that al-Miqdad will head to Algeria after his Tunisia visit during his Maghreb tour.

"Al-Miqdad will be present to reopen the Damascus embassy in Tunisia before continuing his Maghreb tour," the source said, noting that the Syrian Foreign Minister "will hold bilateral talks with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Ataf." 

He pointed out that "al-Miqdad and Ataf will revive the supreme committee of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields."   

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune will receive the Syrian top diplomat at the presidential palace, the source added.

Syria announced on Wednesday that it will reopen its embassy in Tunisia and appoint an ambassador there after more than a decade of strained ties.

Syria's decision followed a similar move by Tunis on April 3, when Tunisian President Kais Saied instructed his Foreign Minister to begin procedures to appoint an ambassador to Damascus.

Read more: Intl. system changing in favor of Resistance: Raisi to Al-Assad

  • Syria
  • Faisal bin Farhan
  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Faisal Al-Miqdad

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS