The Middle East has seen a series of diplomatic shifts in recent weeks following a historic deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March to restore diplomatic ties. This was followed by a number of Arab countries restoring contacts with Syrian government and the Arab League re-admitting Syria into the bloc, almost 12 years after it was suspended due to a brutal crackdown on protests. While the Saudi-Iran deal was brokered by China, Moscow is hosting rapprochement talks between Turkiye and Syria. Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers met in Russian capital yesterday in the highest-level contact between Ankara and Damascus since the start of the Syrian civil war over a decade ago.
Qatar has welcomed the decision by Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore their diplomatic relations, a move which is certain to benefit the region and enhance its security and stability. Qatar has long advocated enhanced cooperation and engagement in the Gulf and wider Middle East region.
Qatar supports all regional and international efforts to find a just solution to the Syrian crisis that respects the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, achieves the aspirations of its people, and is based on UN Resolution 2254 in all its humanitarian and political aspects.
Qatar has also said that it restoring relations with the Syrian regime is fully linked with progress towards a political solution according to relevant international resolutions. Speaking at an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level in Cairo earlier this week, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi said Qatar is keen to work with other Arab countries to find a just political solution in Syria.
While there is greater regional engagement with the Syrian government, the conflict in Syria is far from over with no political solution to the conflict is in sight.
The conflict has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions of Syrians.
Now as Syria returns to the Arab League after around 12 years, it is incumbent on the Syrian regime to address the roots of the crisis and take positive steps towards addressing the issues of the Syrian people and improving its relations with its neighbours in a way that enhances security and stability in the region.
It is hoped that joint Arab cooperation will achieve progress towards peace, development and prosperity for all Syrians.
