Syria’s reinstatement into Arab League already underway, says presidential envoy

MOSCOW, February 18./TASS/. Some Arab states have already taken specific steps towards reinstating Syria into the Arab League, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told journalists on Monday. "The process, in our opinion, is underway, and the state of affairs is being evaluated. Some countries have taken concrete steps. I am speaking about reopening of embassies that were shut down, increasing the consular, political and diplomatic presence in Arab capitals as well as in Damascus," said Bogdanov, who also serves as Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa. According to the special envoy, the organization’s members are hashing over Syria’s readmission into the Arab League. "Talks are underway on the matter between the Arabs themselves, especially since the next Arab League summit is due to take place in Tunisia shortly, on March 31," the Russian diplomat noted. "We believe this decision was long overdue and it would be useful for the Arab world, as well as for Syria as a co-founder of the Arab League and as a key state in the Arab world," he concluded. Syria’s membership to the Arab League was suspended in November 2011. Most Arab countries recalled their ambassadors from Damascus and joined the economic boycott against Syria. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and some other states provided financial and military assistance to armed units fighting the Assad government during the Syrian civil war. Read more