As relationships between Damascus and Riyadh strengthen and the likelihood of a thawing of tensions between the two Arab nations rises, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad has arrived in Saudi Arabia for a visit.
According to Saudi and Syrian official media, Mekdad arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday after receiving an invitation from Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi Arabian foreign minister.
Since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, this is the first trip to Saudi Arabia by a Syrian foreign minister. Although Saudi Arabia backed the Syrian opposition, relations have warmed recently.
Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, has mostly defeated the opposition with support from Russia and Iran.
Al-Assad, who has been marginalised ever since the commencement of the Syrian war, has seen an increase of involvement during the past few months.
Al-Assad has travelled to the UAE and Oman this year, while Saudi Arabia announced last month that talks for the resume of consular services with Damascus had begun.
On Friday, a gathering of regional foreign ministers will be held in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria’s re-admission to the Arab League.
After Saudi Arabia’s decision to normalise relations with Iran, a significant ally of the Syrian regime, last month, diplomatic attempts have picked up steam.
