As he strolled into the summit venue in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Friday afternoon, a beaming Assad opened his arms to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Arab League summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 19, 2023. Photo: AL EKHBARIYA TV
It was a symbolic moment, marking Syria's reintegration into the Arab world after being suspended from the League and isolated by much of the region for more than a decade over its crackdown on protests against him.
Saudi Arabia was strongly opposed to President Assad's regime soon after the Syrian crisis erupted in 2011, but has recently changed its stance along with many Arab countries represented at the conference - despite Western objections.
As Assad lined up for a photo with other Arab League leaders, he shook hands with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The two leaders smiled, gestured with their hands and tilted their heads as they spoke.
Mr Assad then spoke briefly with Tunisian President Kais al-Saeid. President Assad also held bilateral talks with Saeid and UAE leader Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed on Friday.
One by one, Arab leaders welcomed Syria's return to the Arab League, and in his own speeches, Mr. Assad repeatedly said that Syria belongs to the Arab world.
Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNA)
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