As he strolled into the summit venue in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Friday afternoon, Assad beamed with open arms as he met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Arab League summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 19, 5. Photo: AL EKHBARIYA TV
It was a symbolic moment, marking Syria's re-integration into the Arab world after being suspended from the League and isolated by most of the region for more than a decade because of the repression of the Arab League. protests against him.
Saudi Arabia was strongly against the Assad regime shortly after the crisis in Syria broke out in 2011, but has recently changed its position along with many Arab countries represented at the conference. — despite Western objections.
As Assad lined up to take pictures with other Arab League leaders, he shook hands with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The two leaders smiled, gestured with their hands and tilted their heads as they conversed.
Mr. Assad then turned to have a brief conversation with Tunisian President Kais al-Saeid. President Assad also held bilateral talks with Saeid and UAE leader Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed on Friday.
Arab leaders in turn welcomed Syria's return to the Arab Union and in his own speech Mr Assad repeatedly said that Syria belongs to the Arab world.
Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNA)
