Two Syrian sources, one of them at the Foreign Ministry, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt has informed Syria of its approval of Ambassador Yahya Diab to head the Syrian diplomatic mission in Cairo, following its reservations over the previous nominee.
A Syrian source familiar with the matter said Diab had already been informed that Cairo had approved his nomination and that he is currently working to conclude his commitments outside Syria before returning to Damascus to take the necessary steps to assume his duties in Egypt.
However, the source noted that Diab had not been informed whether he had been nominated as ambassador or as chargé d’affaires.
“If he is nominated as ambassador, the decision will be issued through a presidential decree addressed to Egypt. A chargé d’affaires, however, is appointed by a decision of the foreign minister,” the source said.
Another source at the Syrian Foreign Ministry revealed that Diab would be appointed as “chargé d’affaires of the Syrian ambassador to Egypt,” adding that he is also likely to serve as Syria’s permanent representative to the League of Arab States, unless another candidate is nominated for that position, which does not require approval from the Egyptian authorities.
He added: “Arrangements are currently underway to obtain the necessary accreditation from Cairo so that the new Syrian mission can begin its work as soon as possible.”
Asharq Al-Awsat was unable to reach Egypt’s Foreign Ministry for confirmation.
‘In Response to the Egyptian Side’
About a week ago, a Syrian Foreign Ministry source told Asharq Al-Awsat the name of the new ambassador nominated to represent Syria in Egypt, replacing Mohammad Taha Al-Ahmad, whose nomination Cairo had objected to.
At the time, the source said the new nominee was Yahya Diab and that his nomination “came in response to the Egyptian side and out of a desire to advance relations between the two countries toward deeper and broader horizons.”
At the time, an Egyptian official source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Syrian government had submitted another candidate to head its diplomatic mission in Cairo, noting that matters were “moving toward the approval of the new nominee by the Egyptian authorities.”
The source added that “matters are proceeding normally and positively with the Syrian side.”
Diab is a member of the executive office and the office for foreign relations and diplomats at the Free National Gathering of Employees in Syrian State Institutions. Before the Syrian revolution, he served in several diplomatic postings in Rome, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Belgrade. He also headed the trade union committee at the Syrian Foreign Ministry and holds a law degree from Damascus University.
A report published by Asharq Al-Awsat on June 1 cited a source familiar with the matter as saying that Cairo had objected to the nomination of Taha Al-Ahmad as Syria’s ambassador to Egypt and that “Egyptian reservations” were hindering the reception of a number of members of the Syrian diplomatic mission.
Prospects for Cooperation
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Egyptian-Syrian relations have moved cautiously toward bilateral engagement due to Cairo’s concerns regarding the issue of armed groups, before gradually shifting toward economic cooperation.
In late April, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met his counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the Arab-European Consultative Summit held in Cyprus. Media outlets in Cairo and Damascus reported at the time that the two leaders held a “friendly discussion” on regional developments and ways to enhance cooperation.
In January, Damascus hosted the first Egyptian-Syrian Economic and Investment Forum, with the participation of a number of Egyptian business, finance and chamber of commerce leaders. The event aimed to build effective partnerships between the two countries and explore opportunities for cooperation in trade, industry, services, infrastructure and reconstruction.
Last Saturday, Mohamed Omar Abdel Aziz El-Feki, chargé d’affaires of the Egyptian embassy in Damascus, said Egypt is looking to expand cooperation with Syria across various sectors, particularly in reconstruction.
He made the remarks to reporters following a tour of the Buildex International Construction Exhibition in Damascus, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
At the same event, Haitham Hussein, chairman of Egypt Industrial Complex, announced plans to establish a large industrial zone in Syria during the coming phase to support production and create employment opportunities.
Hussein said the proposed project would focus on food-processing, textile and agricultural industries, as well as sectors linked to reconstruction. He also stressed the importance of establishing integrated industrial cities capable of meeting the requirements of the next stage.
