Saudi Arabia to re-establish bilateral ties with Syria
1 year, 9 months ago

Saudi Arabia to re-establish bilateral ties with Syria

Firstpost  

Riyadh: Syria and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reopen their embassies after cutting diplomatic ties more than a decade ago, three sources with knowledge of the matter said, a step that would mark a leap forward in Damascus’s return to the Arab fold. Contacts between Riyadh and Damascus had gathered momentum following a landmark agreement to re-establish ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad, a regional source aligned with Damascus said. The United States, an ally of Saudi Arabia, has opposed moves by regional countries to normalise ties with Assad, citing his government’s brutality during the conflict and the need to see progress towards a political solution. The diplomat said the Syrian-Saudi talks could pave the way for a vote to lift Syria’s suspension during the next Arab summit, expected to be held in Saudi Arabia in April.

Syria Arab Saudi Arabia Saudi Gulf Ties Syrian Riyadh Arabia Regional Damascus Assad  regional  states  arab  syrian  bilateral  syria  arabia  syrias  saudi  ties  assad  reestablish

History of this topic

Syria's new rulers step up engagement with the world
1 week, 1 day ago

Syria's new rulers step up engagement with the world

Raw Story  

Syria's new rulers stepped up engagement on Tuesday with countries that deemed ousted president Bashar al-Assad a pariah, with the French flag raised at the embassy for the first time in over a decade. After meeting Syria's new leaders, the United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said on Tuesday he was "encouraged", and that there was a "basis for ambitious …

Eight Arab countries vow to support ‘peaceful transition process’ in Syria
1 week, 4 days ago

Eight Arab countries vow to support ‘peaceful transition process’ in Syria

Al Jazeera  

Syria’s new government must be ‘inclusive’, say Arab foreign ministers in Jordan, warning against any discrimination. Top diplomats from eight Arab League countries have agreed at a meeting in Jordan to “support a peaceful transition process” in Syria following President Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow. “Today’s agreement sends a unified message to the new interim authority and parties in Syria on the …

Fall of Bashar al-Assad: How Syria's shift shakes Iran's regional strategy
2 weeks ago

Fall of Bashar al-Assad: How Syria's shift shakes Iran's regional strategy

Firstpost  

The fall of Assad has revealed the weakness of Iran’s plans in the region causing a crisis in both its foreign policy and domestic support as the country faces an uncertain future The removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by a rebel alliance has created serious challenges for Iran’s foreign policy. Blame and chaos in Tehran The fall of Syrian …

Iraq considering intervention in Syria seeing rebels' advancement as threat
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Iraq considering intervention in Syria seeing rebels' advancement as threat

India Today  

Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim ruling parties and armed groups are weighing the pros and cons of armed intervention in Syria, viewing as a grave threat the advance of Sunni Islamist rebels who have taken two Syrian cities and now bear down on a third. Iraq has amassed on its border with Syria thousands of fighters from its conventional military as well …

Syria's Assad meets Iranian FM, vows to intensify attacks against 'terrorism'
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Syria's Assad meets Iranian FM, vows to intensify attacks against 'terrorism'

China Daily  

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Damascus, Syria, Dec 1, 2024. DAMASCUS - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledged to continue combating terrorist organizations "with full strength and determination" during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, state media reported on Sunday. Araghchi conveyed a message of support from Iranian leadership, reaffirming Iran's commitment …

Syria and Saudi Arabia resume regular commercial flights as part of a thaw in relations
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Syria and Saudi Arabia resume regular commercial flights as part of a thaw in relations

Associated Press  

DAMASCUS — Regular flights between the Syrian capital of Damascus and Saudi Arabia resumed Wednesday for the first time in more than a decade as part of a thaw in relations between the countries, Syrian state media reported. Syria and Saudi Arabia had severed ties in 2012 over President Bashar Assad’s brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters at the start of …

Eye on the Middle East | How China-Saudi defence ties are evolving
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Eye on the Middle East | How China-Saudi defence ties are evolving

Hindustan Times  

On June 25, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Beijing, holding meetings with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun as well as the Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia. This is even more so as it is the United States’ defence commitments to the Middle East that continue to be seen as …

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus in 12 years, marking an ongoing thawing in relations since the war-torn country was readmitted to the Arab League over a year ago. Faisal al-Mujfel’s appointment as the kingdom’s first ambassador to Syria since 2012 was announced by the state-run …

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012

LA Times  

Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria in 12 years since severing ties with Damascus, marking an ongoing thawing in relations since the war-torn country was readmitted to the Arab League more than a year ago. Faisal al-Mujfel’s appointment as the kingdom’s first ambassador to Syria since 2012 was announced by the state-run Saudi …

Eye on the Middle East | How the Tehran-Riyadh rapprochement holds out, a year on
9 months, 1 week ago

Eye on the Middle East | How the Tehran-Riyadh rapprochement holds out, a year on

Hindustan Times  

In early January 2016, Iran and Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic ties over an incident that played out along sectarian fault lines — Riyadh executed Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia critic of the Saudi monarchy, imprisoned since 2012. Given the Saudi influence, several other Middle East/North African states, including Sudan and Djibouti, followed suit in breaking their own ties with …

Saudi Arabia wants defence pact with US ahead of Prez polls; willing to accept ‘Israeli commitment’ to Palestinian state
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Saudi Arabia wants defence pact with US ahead of Prez polls; willing to accept ‘Israeli commitment’ to Palestinian state

Firstpost  

Saudi Arabia is working hard to get a defence pact with Washington before the US presidential elections 2024, scheduled in November. This agreement would involve the US military providing protection to the world’s biggest oil exporter in exchange that Riyadh would accept a political commitment from Israel to create a Palestinian state. A Reuters report cited two senior sources in …

Arab nations allow Israel a path to normalize relations with them and Palestine
1 year, 1 month ago

Arab nations allow Israel a path to normalize relations with them and Palestine

Live Mint  

The combined meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League in Riyadh recently came out with a strong statement slamming Israel. This, however, was shot down by all the Arab neighbours of Israel and Palestine, such as Egypt and Jordan, apart from the most significant Arab states, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The bombing of …

Saudi pauses talks on normalisation with Israel: Report
1 year, 2 months ago

Saudi pauses talks on normalisation with Israel: Report

The Hindu  

Saudi Arabia has suspended talks on potentially normalising ties with Israel, a source told AFP on Saturday, amid the war raging between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. "Saudi Arabia has decided to pause discussion on possible normalisation and has informed U.S. officials," a source familiar with the discussions told AFP. On Thursday, Saudi state media reported that Prince …

Saudi Arabia suspending peace deal talks with Israel amid war with Hamas: Report
1 year, 2 months ago

Saudi Arabia suspending peace deal talks with Israel amid war with Hamas: Report

India TV News  

Amid a deadly war in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has reportedly halted US-brokered peace deal talks with the Jewish country, possibly dealing a major diplomatic blow after Hamas launched a brutal attack last week. The United States had demanded Saudi Arabia to publicly condemn the Hamas attack on Israel, but Saudi Foreign Minister Farhan Saud refused, TASS news agency …

Saudi Arabia postpones Israel deal amid war, engages with Iran: Report
1 year, 2 months ago

Saudi Arabia postpones Israel deal amid war, engages with Iran: Report

India Today  

Saudi Arabia is putting US-backed plans to normalise ties with Israel on ice, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said, signalling a rapid rethinking of its foreign policy priorities as war escalates between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas. The first source familiar with Saudi thinking said Washington had pressed Riyadh this week to condemn the Hamas attack but said Saudi …

Iran’s Raisi, Saudi Arabia’s MBS discuss Israel-Hamas war
1 year, 2 months ago

Iran’s Raisi, Saudi Arabia’s MBS discuss Israel-Hamas war

Al Jazeera  

Two leaders have first phone call since Tehran and Riyadh restored ties under a China-brokered deal in March. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have spoken on the phone about the war between Israel and Hamas, in their first call since Tehran and Riyadh restored ties. The two leaders discussed on Wednesday “the need to …

What countries have normalised relations with Iran after Saudi detente?
1 year, 3 months ago

What countries have normalised relations with Iran after Saudi detente?

Al Jazeera  

Tehran seems on track to restore relations with more countries after a groundbreaking agreement with Saudi Arabia. So, who has recently re-established formal relations with Iran, what’s the latest between Tehran and Riyadh, and who else could follow suit in improving relations? When Iran and Saudi Arabia broke diplomatic relations, the fallout spread beyond them, with several Arab nations also …

What’s happening with normalising ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel?
1 year, 3 months ago

What’s happening with normalising ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel?

Al Jazeera  

Saudi Arabia willing to normalise relations with Israel in exchange for a US defence pact and civilian nuclear programme. On Wednesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told US channel Fox News: “Every day we get closer” to a normalisation deal with Israel. Saudi Arabia has been a big proponent of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which conditions normalisation with …

Saudi crown prince says in rare interview ‘every day we get closer’ to normalization with Israel
1 year, 3 months ago

Saudi crown prince says in rare interview ‘every day we get closer’ to normalization with Israel

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a rare interview with Fox News on Wednesday that negotiations over Israel means the prospects of normalized relations between both countries “get closer” every day, but that treatment of Palestinians remains a “very important” issue to be resolved. Netanyahu’s office said the meeting “mostly dealt with ways to establish an …

Saudi crown prince says in rare interview 'every day we get closer' to normalization with Israel
1 year, 3 months ago

Saudi crown prince says in rare interview 'every day we get closer' to normalization with Israel

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Saudi …

Hard to bridge gap between Saudi Arabia and Israel
1 year, 3 months ago

Hard to bridge gap between Saudi Arabia and Israel

China Daily  

This photo taken on Aug 16, 2022 shows the White House in Washington, DC, the United States. White House Middle East czar Brett McGurk, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf and US special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking visited Saudi Arabia on Sunday in a bid to broker a reconciliation between the country and Israel, according …

UN envoy warns resumption of war remains threat in Yemen unless parties reach new cease-fire deal
1 year, 3 months ago

UN envoy warns resumption of war remains threat in Yemen unless parties reach new cease-fire deal

Associated Press  

CAIRO — The United Nations’ top official in Yemen warned Monday that the Arab world’s poorest country will remain a powder keg for renewed war unless its rival factions work out a new cease-fire deal. Speaking after meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Grundberg noted Yemen’s warring parties have separately been involved in peace efforts in recent …

Iran's Foreign Minister meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince as long-standing tensions show signs of easing
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran's Foreign Minister meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince as long-standing tensions show signs of easing

India TV News  

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Friday met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as both countries considered arch-rivals of each other for several years are trying to defuse tensions following Chinese mediation. Iran has also been blamed for several attacks, including a missile and drone strike on Saudi Arabia's oil industry that temporarily reduced the kingdom's crude production. …

Iran FM in Saudi Arabia, says relations ‘on the right track’
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran FM in Saudi Arabia, says relations ‘on the right track’

Al Jazeera  

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran meet as both counties seek to overcome past hostility and boost cooperation. Saudi Arabia and Iran are making progress on mending ties, Iran’s foreign minister has said after meeting with his counterpart in Riyadh, as the two regional heavyweights seek to overcome past hostility and boost cooperation. “Relations between Tehran and Saudi …

US and Saudi Arabia ‘agree deal’ to restore relations with Israel
1 year, 4 months ago

US and Saudi Arabia ‘agree deal’ to restore relations with Israel

The Telegraph  

The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed on the “broad” outline of an historic normalisation treaty with Israel within a year, American media has reported – although major obstacles remain in striking the deal. US negotiators are seriously considering Saudi Arabia’s requests for a civilian nuclear programme and “iron-clad” security guarantees from Washington in return for normalising ties with …

Meeting sends positive signal amid conflict
1 year, 4 months ago

Meeting sends positive signal amid conflict

China Daily  

Saudi Arabia security talks to help solve Russia-Ukraine crisis lauded Representatives from China, the US, and Saudi Arabia take part in talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, over the weekend, in an effort to find a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. SAUDI PRESS AGENCY/REUTERS The meeting of several national security advisers hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah over the weekend to …

Saudi Arabia-Israel normalisation difficult but possible: Blinken
1 year, 5 months ago

Saudi Arabia-Israel normalisation difficult but possible: Blinken

Al Jazeera  

Top US diplomat says Washington is ‘very much involved’ in push for formal relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Establishing diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is difficult but possible, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said, reasserting that Washington is pushing to normalise ties between the two countries. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New …

Saudi, Iran foreign ministers meet in Tehran amid warming ties
1 year, 6 months ago

Saudi, Iran foreign ministers meet in Tehran amid warming ties

Al Jazeera  

It’s the first visit by a Saudi official to Iran in more than seven years, in a rapprochement deal brokered by China. Tehran, Iran — The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia have met in Tehran as the longtime rivals seek to end a diplomatic rift and restore ties after seven years of tensions. Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari said, …

Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ‘strategic cooperation’
1 year, 6 months ago

Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ‘strategic cooperation’

Al Jazeera  

The trip next week will be the top US diplomat’s first to the kingdom since the Iranian-Saudi normalisation deal. Washington, DC – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Saudi Arabia next week, his first trip to the kingdom since Tehran and Riyadh agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by Beijing. Blinken will “discuss US-Saudi strategic …

Saudi surge of diplomacy brings Assad, Zelenskyy to Arab summit
1 year, 7 months ago

Saudi surge of diplomacy brings Assad, Zelenskyy to Arab summit

Associated Press  

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia hosted an Arab League summit on Friday in which Syrian President Bashar Assad was welcomed back after a 12-year suspension and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to rally support against Russia. In recent months, Saudi Arabia has restored diplomatic ties with Iran, is ending the kingdom’s yearslong war against Iran-backed rebels …

Tunisian leader calls meeting with Syria’s Assad ‘historic,’ buries memories of Arab Spring
1 year, 7 months ago

Tunisian leader calls meeting with Syria’s Assad ‘historic,’ buries memories of Arab Spring

Associated Press  

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Smiles, a handshake and what Tunisian President Kais Saied called a “historic meeting” with the long-ostracized Syrian leader Bashar Assad. “Today, I am absolutely convinced of Tunisian support for Syria,” a statement from Saied’s office said after what it called the “historic” meeting. Tunisia resumed diplomatic relations with Syria in April, and Assad’s presence at the …

Tunisian leader calls meeting with Syria's Assad 'historic,' buries memories of Arab Spring
1 year, 7 months ago

Tunisian leader calls meeting with Syria's Assad 'historic,' buries memories of Arab Spring

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Smiles, a handshake and what Tunisian President Kais Saied called …

Arab leaders, joined by Syria's Assad at summit in Saudi Arabia, look to resolve other conflicts
1 year, 7 months ago

Arab leaders, joined by Syria's Assad at summit in Saudi Arabia, look to resolve other conflicts

The Hindu  

Arab leaders, joined by Syrian President Bashar Assad for the first time in more than a decade, were holding an annual summit on May 17 in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on Sudan and other conflicts. In recent months, Saudi Arabia has restored diplomatic ties with Iran, is ending the kingdom’s yearslong war against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen and has …

Arab leaders, joined by Syria's Assad at summit in Saudi Arabia, look to resolve other conflicts
1 year, 7 months ago

Arab leaders, joined by Syria's Assad at summit in Saudi Arabia, look to resolve other conflicts

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Arab leaders, joined by Syrian President Bashar Assad for the …

Analysis: How important is Syria’s return to the Arab League?
1 year, 7 months ago

Analysis: How important is Syria’s return to the Arab League?

Al Jazeera  

Many Arab states have accepted that Bashar al-Assad’s government has survived in Syria, and want to return to normal relations. Syria’s return to the Arab League, with the attendance of President Bashar al-Assad at Friday’s summit in Saudi Arabia, will mainly be about symbolism. The Arab League can’t deliver any of that, but there are Gulf Arab states that can.” …

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy seeks Arab League support on Saudi visit
1 year, 7 months ago

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy seeks Arab League support on Saudi visit

Al Jazeera  

President Zelenskyy calls on the Arab League to help protect ‘our people’ and the Ukrainian Muslim community amid Russia’s war on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has attended an Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia to seek support for his country in the face of Russia’s invasion, as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his readiness to mediate in …

Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia for regional summit, sealing his return to the Arab fold
1 year, 7 months ago

Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia for regional summit, sealing his return to the Arab fold

Associated Press  

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived on Thursday in Saudi Arabia to attend a regional summit that is expected to seal Syria’s return to the Arab fold, marking his first visit to the oil-rich kingdom since Syria’s conflict began in 2011. During Syria’s conflict, Assad only visited Russia and Iran and over the past two years he …

Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia in first visit since war
1 year, 7 months ago

Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia in first visit since war

Al Jazeera  

President Bashar al-Assad to attend the Arab League summit on Friday, a sign of his regional rehabilitation. But the president’s arrival in regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia on Thursday is the latest example of an attempt by the majority of Arab states to now restore ties. Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia had been turbulent since al-Assad took office in 2000 …

Turkey and Syria agree to improve ties after talks in Moscow
1 year, 7 months ago

Turkey and Syria agree to improve ties after talks in Moscow

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Syria and Turkey agreed Wednesday to set up a “roadmap” to improve strained ties, following talks alongside Russia and Iran in Moscow. Moscow has spent years trying to help Syrian President Bashar Assad rebuild ties with Turkey and other countries that were fractured in the war, which has killed nearly 500,000 people and displaced half of Syria’s prewar …

Saudi Arabia, Syria to reopen embassies restoring relations
1 year, 7 months ago

Saudi Arabia, Syria to reopen embassies restoring relations

The Hindu  

Saudi Arabia and Syria will reopen diplomatic missions between the two countries now that relations have improved 11 years after the facilities were closed, the two nations foreign ministries said Tuesday. That had followed a visit by Syria’s top diplomat to the kingdom, the first since Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012 and a visit by …

Syria’s homecoming: The Hindu Editorial on Arab League’s decision to readmit Syria
1 year, 7 months ago

Syria’s homecoming: The Hindu Editorial on Arab League’s decision to readmit Syria

The Hindu  

The Arab League’s decision to readmit Syria, after over a decade of isolation, signals a growing desire of regional powers to set aside intra-Arab rivalries and work towards establishing a more predictable, stable relationship with one another. Ironically, it is Saudi Arabia, which had rallied the Arab countries to expel Syria in 2011 amid the regime’s crackdown on protests, that …

How has the world reacted to Syria rejoining the Arab League?
1 year, 7 months ago

How has the world reacted to Syria rejoining the Arab League?

Al Jazeera  

There have been warm welcomes and scepticism, but most countries have opted for a muted response. Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs @majedalansari : Qatar's Position on Normalization with Syrian Regime Has Not Changed#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/Nhrzn4Y12U — Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar May 7, 2023 “The reinstatement of Syria does not mean normalisation of relations between Arab countries and Syria,” …

A new era for Iran and Saudi Arabia?
1 year, 7 months ago

A new era for Iran and Saudi Arabia?

Al Jazeera  

Why did Saudi-Iranian relations fall apart and what will it mean for each country as they sew them back together? Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Iran has been abandoned for years. It was stormed by Iranian protesters back in 2016 and shut down – an extremely low point in the two countries’ relations. So, what does restoring relations mean for these …

Arab governments vote for Syria's return to the Arab League after 12-year absence
1 year, 7 months ago

Arab governments vote for Syria's return to the Arab League after 12-year absence

The Hindu  

Arab government representatives in Cairo voted on May 7 to return Syria to the Arab League after a 12-year suspension, according to the organisation. The vote in the Egyptian capital came days after regional top diplomats met in Jordan to discuss a roadmap to return Syria to the Arab fold as the conflict continues to de-escalate, and soon before Saudi …

Syria readmitted to Arab League after reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran
1 year, 7 months ago

Syria readmitted to Arab League after reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran

The Telegraph  

Syria was readmitted to the Arab League on Sunday in a major coup for Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad made possible by thawing relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. "Syria's regional isolation is officially broken," analyst Fabrice Balanche said, calling Sunday's decision a "diplomatic victory" for Assad. "The earthquake is the best opportunity to get closer without losing face," he …

Rival Sudan factions to hold dialogue in Saudi Arabia
1 year, 7 months ago

Rival Sudan factions to hold dialogue in Saudi Arabia

Firstpost  

Sudan’s warring parties were set to meet on Saturday in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah for talks, Riyadh and Washington said, as international mediators pressed to end a conflict that has killed hundreds of people and sent tens of thousands of refugees fleeing abroad. Saudi Arabia and the United States welcomed the start of the “pre-negotiation talks” between …

Arab nations set to rehabilitate Syria’s pariah president in defiance of US
1 year, 7 months ago

Arab nations set to rehabilitate Syria’s pariah president in defiance of US

CNN  

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. In a Wednesday opinion piece in Saudi newspaper Arab News, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki said that the May 19 summit is “a step on the road toward finding and activating Arab solutions …

US says it will not normalise relations with Syria’s Assad
1 year, 7 months ago

US says it will not normalise relations with Syria’s Assad

Al Jazeera  

Washington, DC – The United States will not normalise relations with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the State Department has said, as many of Washington’s Arab allies re-establish ties with Damascus. The State Department said late on Thursday that top US diplomat Antony Blinken discussed a recent meeting in Amman between Syria and its Arab neighbours during a …

Saudi Arabia wants to be a bigger player in the Middle East — this time with diplomacy
1 year, 7 months ago

Saudi Arabia wants to be a bigger player in the Middle East — this time with diplomacy

CNN  

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. “Saudi Arabia is seeking to assert itself more and more on the international stage through mediation and raising its diplomatic profile.” Riyadh’s new foreign policy is more independent and prioritizes Saudi interests, she said. “We are …

Jordan FM: Regional talks with Syria step toward solution
1 year, 7 months ago

Jordan FM: Regional talks with Syria step toward solution

Associated Press  

AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan’s top diplomat said on Monday that regional talks with Syria are a step in the right direction to end a decade of the war-torn country’s political isolation and bring Damascus back into the Arab fold. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi’s remarks came as Jordan hosted a meeting of envoys from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and Syria. …

Discover Related