Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria in more than a decade

Saudi Arabia's state-run SPA news agency announced on Sunday that Faisal Al-Mujifer will become Riyadh's new ambassador to Syria.

The report quoted the new Saudi envoy as saying he hopes to "serve Saudi national interests and strengthen bilateral relations between brotherly nations.

"Saudi Arabia reopened its Syrian embassy with a charge d'affaires earlier this year after the Syrian government reopened its embassy in Riyadh last year and appointed a new ambassador in December.

The restoration of ties between Riyadh and Damascus is the latest development in a series of efforts by Arab regional countries to repair ties with Syria.

The Arab countries' decision to restore ties with Syria follows Syria's success in recapturing large swaths of territory and turning the tide against foreign-backed terrorists.

The United Arab Emirates sent its first ambassador to Syria in early January after resuming diplomatic ties with the country after 13 years.

Syrian President welcomes UAE envoy to Damascus for first time in 13 years

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received Hassan Ahmed al-Shehhi in early February after the Emirati ambassador formally presented his credentials to Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad.

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, al-Shehhi conveyed to the Syrian side his determination to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.

Prior to the dispatch of the ambassador, the UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in December 2018 and appointed Deputy Minister Abdul Hakim Al-Nuaimi to be in charge of diplomatic issues between the two countries.

In March 2022, the Syrian President visited the UAE and met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai.  UAE sends ambassador to Syria for first time in 13 years

Assad's visit to the United Arab Emirates comes just months after Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited the Syrian capital Damascus.  In May 2022, the Arab League of 22 member states agreed to reintegrate Syria, ending a 12-year suspension and taking a new step toward reintegrating Syria.