Damascus, Syria-United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister met with Syria’s once widely shunned president in Damascus on Tuesday, giving the strongest signal that the Arab world is ready to re-engage with influential Bashar Assad.
The visit to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan was the first visit by the UAE Foreign Minister since the conflict in Syria began 10 years ago, and some Arab countries have improved relations with Syria. Because it is. The United Arab Emirates has slowly restored its ties with Damascus as the flow of war turned in favor of Assad.
Syria was banished from the 22 Arab Leagues and boycotted by neighboring countries after the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. However, improving relations between Syria and oil-rich Arab countries could be a major boost to post-war reconstruction.
The official announcement of the visit from Assad’s office came hours after several Lebanese media reported the visit. It was not clear why they delayed the release of the news.
The conflict in Syria began in March 2011. It killed more than 400,000 people and expelled half of the country’s population. Most of Syria has been destroyed and reconstruction will cost tens of billions of dollars.
The United Arab Emirates is one of several Gulf countries that have recently normalized relations with Israel.
The Gulf nations, many of which are in conflict with Iran, have also sought a warmer relationship with Damascus, hoping to strip it from Teheran. Iran, which has historic ties to Syria, sent advisors and resources to assist Assad during the decade of the war.
Iran’s support for Asad in the conflict, along with Russia’s support, helped him to favor the balance of power and left the rebels in a small part of the northwestern part of the country.
“It will be almost impossible to change Iran’s position in Syria in the short term. Iran is embedded too well,” said Chris Doyle, head of the Arab-British Understanding Council. “Russia has not succeeded.”
“At best, the Syrian regime may begin to fight each other between Iran and the United Arab Emirates to gain independence for maneuverability,” he said. Doyle added that other Arab nations wary of being used in Damascus are watching how relations develop.
According to Syrian state television, Sheikh Abdullah sent a large delegation to Damascus. The Foreign Minister had previously met with senior officials on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea.
Assad’s office said the president praised “the objective and wise attitude taken by the United Arab Emirates.” The United Arab Emirates was reportedly always standing by the Syrian people, the president said.
According to Assad’s office, both sides discussed how to develop opportunities for cooperation and investment.
Last month, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates received a call from Assad to discuss strengthening relations and cooperation.
The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus in December 2018, but relations remained calm.
In September, Assad called King Abdullah II of Jordan for the first time since the conflict in Syria began in March 2011. Both countries have also resumed major border crossings.
The United Arab Emirates is a supporter of Syria’s opposition and is now confined to a small corner in northwestern Syria after Assad’s army has ruled much of Syria in recent years.
This visit comes when Syria’s economy is strangled by ruining Western sanctions, and when Damascus needs to severely strengthen its ties with oil-rich countries. The United Arab Emirates is home to thousands of Syrians who work in the Gulf countries and send money to their relatives at home.
Arab and Western nations generally blamed Assad for a deadly crackdown on protests that broke out in 2011 and led to a civil war, and supported early opposition to the conflict.
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Mroue reported from Beirut.
United Arab Emirates FM visit signals the Arab world, which is willing to engage with Syria
Source link United Arab Emirates FM visit signals the Arab world, which is willing to engage with Syria
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