Saudi Arabia and Syria in talks to restore ties

Saudi Arabia and Syria are in talks over a resumption of consular services between the two countries. The talks come after years of cold relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia closed its embassy in Damascus and expelled the Syrian ambassador in 2012 due to its backing of the Syrian opposition in the country’s war. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is hoping to come back into the Arab diplomatic fold after years of cold relations. The talks are an indication of a possible restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Syria. 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. Earlier this week, Reuters news agency reported that Saudi Arabia and Syria had agreed to reopen their embassies. The report cited three sources with knowledge of the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. The Al-Ekhbariya channel cited a foreign ministry source who said that discussions were under way with officials in Syria to resume consular services within the framework of the kingdom’s keenness to facilitate necessary consular services between both nations.

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