US discussing Syria's return to Arab League with partners: White House

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 May 00:12

The United States says it is discussing with its allies Syria's return to the Arab League, noting that the sanctions on the country would still be in place.

Delegates and foreign ministers of member states convene at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, May 7, 2023 (Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)

The United States has been consulting with its partners in the Middle East about Syria's return to the Arab League, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday.

The spokesperson stressed that US sanctions against Syria would remain in place.

This comes after the Arab League states' foreign ministers announced Sunday that Syria, whose membership was suspended in 2011, would return to the organization.

"While we are skeptical of Assad's willingness to take the steps necessary to resolve the serious crisis, we are aligned with our Arab partners on the ultimate objectives," Jean-Pierre told a press briefing.

"We have been consulting with our partners about their plans and making clear that we will not normalize relations with the Assad regime, and that our sanctions remain in full effect," she added.

Moreover, the spokesperson said US partners in the Middle East have pledged to use direct engagement with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's government to push for "progress" on reaching a solution to the Syrian crisis, expanding humanitarian access, creating safe conditions for refugees to return, and ensuring that the Islamic State terrorist group cannot reemerge.

Despite opposition from Western countries, Arab foreign ministers announced on Sunday Syria’s return to the Arab League during an emergency meeting that took place in the Egyptian capital ahead of the Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia on May 19.

Iraqi Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmad Al-Sahhaf announced that Syria has been brought back to the Arab League.

The Iraqi official added that Iraq's dialogue diplomacy and efforts greatly aided Syria's return to the Arab League.

On Saturday, Gamal Rushdie, a spokesperson for the LAS secretary general, said that the decision on Syria's readmission to the League of Arab States may be taken during an emergency meeting of the organization's foreign ministers on May 7.

This is happening despite strong opposition from the US and its allies. Last month, Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department, said that the United States does not currently think that Syria merits readmission to the League of Arab States.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement 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.

Russia has also expressed optimism with regard 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.