UAE confirms reopening of its embassy in Damascus

The United Arab Emirates is to re-open its embassy in Damascus on Thursday, the state news agency cited the foreign ministry as saying, confirming earlier reports.

The embassy has been shut since the early months of Syria's conflict, which erupted in 2011.

The UAE Foreign Ministry said its charge d'affaires assumed his duties at the embassy on Thursday, and that the reopening aimed to normalise relations between both countries and to curb risks of regional interference in "Arab, Syrian affairs". (Reporting by Asma Alsharif and Aziz El Yaakoubi Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)