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

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Apr 2023 00:38

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

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.

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.