Saudi, Syrian Foreign Ministers Discuss Political Solution to Syria’s Crisis

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji welcoming the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. - Reuters
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji welcoming the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. - Reuters
TT

Saudi, Syrian Foreign Ministers Discuss Political Solution to Syria’s Crisis

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji welcoming the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. - Reuters
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji welcoming the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. - Reuters

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Jeddah on Wednesday upon the invitation of the Saudi FM.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed the joint efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis, in a way that preserves Syria's unity, security, stability, and territorial integrity.

A joint statement was released following the meeting between the two sides, welcoming the start of procedures for resuming consular services and flights in the two countries.

The two sides also agreed on the importance of resolving humanitarian challenges, including creating an environment that would allow aid to reach all areas of Syria, establish the prerequisites for Syrian refugees and displaced people to return to their homes.

The Kingdom and Syria both stressed the importance of strengthening security and combating terrorism in all forms and enhancing cooperation to combat drug smuggling and trafficking.

For his part, Mekdad expressed Syria's appreciation for the Saudi Arabia's efforts to help end the Syrian crisis and for providing humanitarian and relief aid to those affected by the earthquakes that struck Syria last February.

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji on Wednesday welcomed the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.



Qatar to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria on Tuesday

 A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Qatar to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria on Tuesday

 A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)

Qatar will reopen its embassy in Syria on Tuesday after it was closed for more than 13 years, the Gulf country's foreign ministry said on Sunday, a week after Bashar al-Assad was removed from power.

Qatar's embassy in Damascus has been shut since July 2011 when it withdrew its ambassador from Damascus after a series of deadly crackdowns by Assad's regime on protesters - violence that led to the 13-year-long civil war.

Doha in recent years did not join efforts by several Arab countries to mend relations with Assad's government and re-establish diplomatic relations with Damascus.

A lightning advance by the opposition, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led to the ouster of Assad on Dec. 8.

Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement its decision to reopen the embassy reflects its support for the Syrian people and their "struggle to attain their legitimate rights for a dignified life".