Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria with “Western allies”

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said on Friday that his country would hold talks with “Western allies” with respect to ties with Syria, which Secretary-General of the Arab League saw an “internal Arab matter.”

Bin Farhan’s speech coincided with criticism made by western parties regarding normalizations with “the Syrian regime.”

Bin Farhan made his words during a conference at the end of the Arab summit, which was held in Jeddah on Friday with the attendance of all members.

He stressed that his country sees dialogue with Syria is crucial to resolve the decade-long crisis.

Faisal said, “We hope that Syria’s return to the Arab League will contribute to ending its crisis. We understand the point of view of our Western allies over Syria and we will hold talks with our partners in this respect.”

Additionally, the Saudi foreign minister noted that efforts are being made to help Syrian refugees get back to their homeland.

He also stressed the importance of supporting economic recovery projects, adding that “hardline stances are not in favor of the Syrian people.”

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, for his part, said that Syria’s return to the Arab League is an internal Arab matter, “we must work in isolation from foreign powers regarding the Syrian issue.”

Gheit added that “Jeddah summit achieved the required goal,” stressing that Syria needs help by Arab countries that have to interact with the readmission.

At a closed meeting at the Arab League’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, in advance of the League’s Summit in Saudi Arabia on May 19, Arab foreign ministers agreed on May 7 on Syria’s official return to its seat in the Arab League after more than 10 years of suspension due to the Syrian president’s brutality against his own people.

Reporting by Hozan Zubeir