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According to Al Arabiya television, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the occasion of Assad's participation in the Arab League (AL) summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Observers noted that Syria's participation in the AL summit after more than a decade was the highlight of the event.
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| Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Photo: AFP/VNA |
The Arab League suspended Syria's membership in 2011 following a conflict that lasted over a decade in the country. Normalization with Arab nations is a diplomatic victory for Syria. According to Hasni Abidi, an expert on the Arab world and Director of the Center for Mediterranean Studies (Cermam), restoring Syria's membership in the Arab League has paved the way for its reintegration into the world. Many European countries have begun negotiations with Damascus.
Joining forces with wealthy Gulf states also offers hope for Syria to address its economic problems and rebuild the country. Until now, Syria has struggled to access international financing without a UN-sponsored political solution to the conflict. Meanwhile, US sanctions remain a barrier to foreign investment in Syrian reconstruction projects.
The entire initiative to normalize relations with Damascus originated from Saudi Arabia, a country seeking to assert its role in the region, especially after its successful reconciliation with Iran, brokered by China. In recent years, the Arab League has been divided by numerous issues such as the conflicts in Syria and Libya; the blockade of Qatar by several regional countries; and other disagreements among member states.
With all 22 members present at this summit, Saudi Arabia demonstrated its key leadership role in uniting the Arab family, projecting an image of a more peaceful region. Reintegrating Syria into the region was also a diplomatic success for Crown Prince bin Salman, a new step away from the US orbit, and a reminder to the West that Riyadh is not just about oil; it is also a diplomatic partner that all parties must consider.
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