RIYADH: Diplomats meeting in Saudi Arabia agreed on Saturday that the Arab world should take the lead in efforts to resolve Syria's war following talks aimed at reducing Damascus' isolation. Top diplomats from six Gulf Cooperation Council countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—plus Egypt, Iraq and Jordan met in Saudi Arabia at the kingdom's request.
He stressed the "importance of the Arab leadership's role in efforts to end the crisis," according to a statement issued by the Saudi foreign ministry early Saturday. They also discussed the "mechanisms necessary for this role" and agreed to intensify "consultations among Arab countries to ensure the success of these efforts".
Backed by Iran and Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is shunned by many Middle Eastern countries and is a Western pariah over the war - which has killed more than half a million people and nearly half Syria's pre-war population has been forced to leave his country. houses. Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011 over Assad's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
But on Wednesday, in the latest sign of easing tensions with Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad arrived in Jeddah, the first such visit since the start of the war. Mekdad and his Saudi counterpart discussed "necessary steps" to end Damascus' isolation, according to a Saudi statement on Wednesday. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that after the latest foreign minister's meeting, top Arab diplomats "agreed on the importance of resolving the humanitarian crisis" in Syria and securing conditions allowing the return of refugees.
'Cheated'
Aaron Lund of the Century International think tank told AFP before Saudi Arabia's statement "rehabilitating Syria" sends a message to the opposition that Assad will win in the end and that his foreign backers will betray him. Residents of rebel-held Idlib in northern Syria said they felt "betrayed" by rehabilitation moves by Assad's government.
"We, people living in northern Syria, felt extremely betrayed when we heard about the normalization with Assad," Rama Sifu, a 32-year-old resident of Idlib, told AFP. "How come after 12 years of struggle and revolution, today they come and say to him: you have your seat back in the Arab League? This is unacceptable, we felt really disappointed.
But late Thursday, Qatar's prime minister, an opponent of the Assad government, poured cold water on talk of Syria's possible return to the Arab League. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said in a televised interview, "Nothing is proposed, it's all speculation." The Jeddah meeting is one of a series of initiatives following Saudi Arabia and Iran's March 10 Chinese-brokered announcement that they would restart ties seven years after an acrimonious split.
On Friday, nearly 900 prisoners from Yemen's civil war between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition were swapped as flights carrying the detainees were traveling between rebel- and government-controlled areas. The Saudi ambassador to Yemen held talks this week with Houthi forces aimed at ending the devastating civil war since the Saudi-led military intervention began in 2015.
'Overcome Gulf differences'
And late Wednesday, gas-rich Qatar and its tiny but strategic Gulf neighbor Bahrain agreed to reset ties, setting aside a long-running diplomatic feud. Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, and Shiite democracy Iran have long been vying for influence around the region amid their proxy conflicts with Yemen and previously Syria.
But analysts say Saudi Arabia is now seeking to calm the region so it can focus on ambitious domestic projects aimed at diversifying its energy-dependent economy. Although the Arab League makes decisions by consensus, unanimous consent is unlikely, said a Riyadh-based diplomat, who declined to be identified. "The aim of the meeting is to resolve the Gulf's differences on Syria as much as possible," the diplomat told AFP, while isolating Qatar.
Unity, Sovereignty
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah reaffirmed his country's principled and unwavering support for Syria's national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposed interference in its internal affairs. The minister made the remarks during informal talks on the sidelines of a suhoor (pre-sunrise meal) banquet hosted by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud in Jeddah on Friday, and attended by foreign ministers from GCC countries, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. , Iraq and Egypt.
He said that Syria is an important Arab country and a key part of the Arab national security system and has an undeniable historical contribution to the promotion of human civilization. As the Syrian crisis enters its 13th year, Syria, its people and neighboring countries continue to face security, political, economic and humanitarian impacts, he said, regretting that regional international interference in its affairs has undermined regional security and stability. has been disrupted, thus creating a breeding ground. for terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking. - agencies
