Cairo, 1 April 2023 (GNP): Foreign Minister of Syria, Faisal Mekdad, met his counterpart Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during the first official visit to Cairo since 2011 on Saturday.
Egypt and Syria agreed to enhance their cooperation, indicating a positive shift in the relationship between Arab states and President Bashar al-Assad.
“The ministers agreed to intensify channels of communication between the two countries at different levels during the coming phase,” a statement from Egypt’s foreign ministry said.
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Egypt also reiterated its backing for a “comprehensive political settlement to the Syrian crisis as soon as possible.”
An anonymous security source from Egypt has stated that the purpose of the visit was to facilitate Syria’s re-entry into the Arab League with the assistance of mediation from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Arab League, based in Cairo, suspended Syria’s membership in 2011, and several Arab nations withdrew their support.
Some countries, such as the United States and Qatar, have objected to restoring ties with Assad, citing his government’s violence during the conflict and the necessity of achieving political progress in Syria.
However, influential regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have indicated a growing willingness to engage with Damascus.
