Back in the Arab League after 12 years, Syria urges group to invest in war-torn country
The IndependentSign 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 Syria on Monday called on Arab countries to invest in the war-torn nation, now again a member of the Arab League. The 22-member Arab League agreed earlier this month to reinstate Syria, ending a 12-year suspension and taking another step toward bringing Syrian President Bashar Assad, a long-time regional pariah, back into the fold. Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan also spoke, welcoming Syria's return to the Arab League and saying he looked forward to working together "to achieve what we aim for.” Syria earlier this month opened regional talks with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt in Amman, as part of an Arab-led initiative to resolve the Syrian conflict. Last month, Syria’s Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad visited Riyadh and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus and met with Assad.