Diplomatic Revival: Saudi Foreign Minister's Pivotal Visit to Damascus

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud will visit Damascus for talks with Syria's new administration. His previous visit aimed at ending Syria's regional isolation, marked by Assad's invitation to an Arab League summit in Riyadh. Concerns linger over Syria's captagon production.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, is scheduled to visit Damascus on Friday, meeting with leading figures in the new Syrian administration, a Syrian official announced on Thursday.

This visit marks Prince Faisal's return to Damascus, following his April 2023 meeting with the former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The visit was part of Saudi Arabia's strategic efforts to reintegrate Syria into the regional fold after years of diplomatic alienation. In a significant move shortly afterward, Saudi Arabia extended an invitation to Assad to participate in an Arab League summit held in Riyadh, signaling a shift in regional alliances.

While diplomatic ties are being mended, a cloud of concern continues to loom over Syria's role in the production and trafficking of captagon, a substance that has found a market in the Gulf. Syria remains under a caretaker government following the overthrow of Assad by rebel forces in December.

(With inputs from agencies.)