Saudi Foreigner Minister Meets Syria's Assad On First Excursion To Damascus Since War

State media reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Saudi Arabia's top diplomat on Tuesday in Damascus, breaking a decade-long diplomatic deadlock.

SANA, the official news agency for Syria, reported, "President Bashar al-Assad meets Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan."

The Saudi prince made his first appearance in Syria's capital since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011 when he arrived in Damascus on Tuesday afternoon.

Since the beginning of the conflict, Assad has been politically isolated in the region. However, in the past week, Saudi Arabia and Damascus' ally Iran have decided to resume ties, which has shifted regional relations.

The excursion comes under seven days after Syrian Unfamiliar Clergyman Faisal Mekdad visited Saudi Arabia, additionally on the primary such visit since the contention started.

Syria's possible return to the 22-member Arab League after Damascus was suspended in 2011 was the topic of discussion at a meeting of diplomats from nine Arab nations last week in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

According to a statement issued by the Saudi foreign ministry, the diplomats emphasized the "importance of having an Arab leadership role in efforts to end the crisis" in Syria.

Saudi Arabia disavowed Assad's administration in 2012, and Riyadh had long transparently supported Assad's ouster, moving Syrian dissidents in prior phases of the conflict.

A few other Middle Easterner nations likewise cut attaches with Syria as certain powers bet on Assad's death.

However, as Assad has regained most of the territory lost to rivals with crucial support from Russia and Iran, regional capitals have begun to warm up to him.