Saudi Arabia and Syria are discussing the possibility of resuming consular services for subjects of the kingdom and citizens of the Arab republic. Al Ekhbariya, the Saudi state television channel, reported this on Thursday.
According to the channel's source in the Saudi foreign ministry, the kingdom's authorities have initiated talks with the Syrian side "as part of Riyadh's desire to facilitate access to consular services for members of the two nations."
Earlier Thursday, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources, that Saudi Arabia and Syria had agreed to reopen embassies, the work of which has been halted since the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the countries in 2011. According to Al Ekhbariya, a spokesman told the channel about the talks between Riyadh and Damascus, "commenting on what some international media have spread."
An Arab diplomatic source in Beirut told TASS on Monday that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud plans to visit Syria for the Eid al-Fitr holiday (Uraza Bayram among Turkic nations), which is celebrated this year on April 22 after the end of Ramadan fasting. The source also noted that the visit of the Saudi foreign minister will coincide with the opening of the Kingdom's embassy in Damascus after a 12-year break.
Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Damascus and joined the economic boycott of Syria in 2011. During the armed conflict, Riyadh provided financial support to opposition militias that opposed the government. Since 2018, Saudi diplomacy has joined efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis politically.
On February 14, the first Saudi plane carrying humanitarian aid to earthquake-stricken Syrians landed at Aleppo airport, carrying 35 tons of food and medicine. The kingdom also sent humanitarian supplies to northwest Syria through the Turkish border.
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Based on materials from TASS