The necessary steps to achieve a comprehensive political settlement for the Syrian crisis that would end all its repercussions, achieve national reconciliation, and return Syria to its Arab surroundings, while resuming its natural role in the Arab world, are the main topics that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan brought to Damascus, where he was received by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the People’s Palace. This visit, which came after nearly twelve years of estrangement, was preceded by a series of Arab-Arab and Arab-Syrian meetings, the most prominent being the visit of Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad to Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the efforts made to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves Syria’s unity, security, stability, Arab identity, and territorial integrity. Bin Farhan emphasized "the importance of providing a suitable environment for the delivery of aid to all areas in Syria, preparing the necessary conditions for the safe return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons to their regions, and taking further measures that would contribute to stabilizing the situation across the entirety of Syria." He noted that "the upcoming phase requires the relationship between Syria and its Arab brothers to return to a healthy state, and for Syria's role to return to being better than it was before, both Arab and regional."
For his part, the Syrian president confirmed that "normal relations between Syria and the Kingdom are the natural state that should prevail," stating that these relations serve not only the interests of the two countries but also reflect an Arab and regional interest, stemming from a deep historical bond lasting decades between the two nations. He pointed out that the open and realistic policies pursued by Saudi Arabia benefit Arab countries and the region. Assad indicated that "the fraternal Arab role is essential in supporting the Syrian people to overcome all the repercussions of the war on Syria, stabilize the situation, and liberate all Syrian territories."
During the meeting, Bin Farhan conveyed the greetings of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as their wishes for security and stability for the Syrian government and people. Assad emphasized that the brotherhood uniting Arabs remains the deepest and most expressive of the connections among Arab countries.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan arrived Tuesday at Damascus International Airport, where he was received by Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam. It is worth noting that Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad is completing his visit to Tunisia. The visit of His Highness to Syria is part of the Kingdom's commitment to finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis that ends its repercussions, preserves the unity of Syria, its security and stability, and restores it to its Arab environment, thereby achieving well-being for its brotherly people, according to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that Prince Faisal bin Farhan's visit to Damascus underscores the Kingdom's commitment to a political solution. On the same note, it was mentioned that both sides agreed to resume diplomatic relations, and Saudi Arabia intends to invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to attend the Arab summit hosted by Riyadh on May 19. This visit comes days after the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad's visit to Saudi Arabia and following a meeting of Arab countries to discuss Damascus's return to the Arab League.
