In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji (right) meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 12, 2023. (PHOTO / SANA VIA AP)
DAMASCUS – Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will land in Damascus on Tuesday, Syria's information ministry told reporters in a written note, on his first visit to the country since conflict broke out in Syria in 2011.
The visit is the most significant step yet towards ending Syria's decade-long regional isolation over its response to protests against President Bashar al-Assad.
Saudi Arabia hosted Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad last week and then held a summit in Jeddah among the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq to discuss Syria's possible return to the Arab fold
Syria's membership in the Arab League was suspended and several Gulf Arab states – including Saudi Arabia – began backing rebel groups fighting to oust Assad from power.
READ MORE: Syria, S. Arabia agree to resume consular services, air flights
Assad, with the help of his main allies Iran and Russia, regained control over much of Syria, and Saudi Arabia has said in recent months that isolating him was not working.
The two sides agreed to resume diplomatic ties, and Reuters reported this month that bin Farhan would travel to Damascus to invite Assad to the Arab League's next summit in Riyadh on May 19, two sources familiar with the plans said.
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Saudi Arabia hosted Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad last week and then held a summit in Jeddah among the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq to discuss Syria's possible return to the Arab fold.