Arab League granted Syria a conditional return

Arab League has granted Syria a conditional return to the alliance after more than a decade of isolation.

The decision was made by Arab foreign ministers holding an emergency meeting in Cairo on Sunday, according to a senior Egyptian diplomat familiar with the proceedings.

The diplomat spoke to The National on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced.
Asked what the conditions for a full return might be, the diplomat said they included the return of Syrian refugees without retributions, a credible political process that leads to elections and steps to end the smuggling of narcotics from Syria into neighboring countries.

The diplomat spoke after the foreign ministers held a closed meeting at the Arab League’s headquarters in central Cairo. A public session was scheduled for later on Sunday.

Various regional powers have embraced Damascus in recent months as it looks to re-enter the diplomatic fold following a lengthy civil war.

The Arab League suspended Syria’s membership in 2011 following President Bashar Al Assad’s crackdown on uprisings that evolved into full-blown war.

On Friday, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Syria had enough votes among the league’s 22 members to regain its seat, but acknowledged that the “symbolic return” would still involve a very “long and difficult” process.

It comes a week after Jordan hosted Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and regional counterparts in Amman.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi have both visited Damascus in recent weeks, with Tehran lauding the regional push to reintegrate its ally.

Syria and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume flights and consular services last month, while Tunisia has also reappointed an ambassador to Damascus.

Damascus had acknowledged its need to improve regional relations before a return to the league.

“The Arab League exists but then the differences within the Arab League will remain,” Mr Mekdad said last month. Syria’s return may “unify” regional stances, he added.