Saudi Arabia resumes work of diplomatic mission in Syria

Arab League voted on Sunday to reinstate Syria after 12-year suspension

President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar Al-Assad receiving the Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan as part of his official visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus. Photo: Ministry of ForeiShow more

Saudi Arabia has decided to resume the work of its diplomatic mission in Syria, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

The Arab League voted on Sunday to reinstate Syria after a 12-year suspension.

The move shows Saudi Arabia's keenness to contribute to developing joint Arab action on Syria and boosting security and stability in the region, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added the move also takes into account a decision made by Arab foreign ministers at an emergency meeting in Cairo — home to the league's headquarters — on the resumption of participation by delegations from Syria and its organisations and bodies in the league's council meetings.

The move also comes weeks after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad met in Damascus with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan -- the first such visit since the war broke out in 2011.

The Arab League said that its decision to reinstate Syria was made with the aim of continuing to work towards ending the “suffering” of the Syrian people and helping them to “realise their legitimate future aspirations”.

It also called for a leading Arab role in the resolution of all aspects of the Syrian crisis, including security, humanitarian and political issues.

The body added that there was a need to address the effects of Syria's civil war on neighbouring states, the region and the world, citing the burden of refugees, the threat of terrorism and the smuggling of narcotics.