(MENAFN) The Tunisian Foreign Ministry has announced that Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad is scheduled to visit Tunisia on Monday. The three-day visit comes at the invitation of Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar and is intended to restore bilateral relations between the two countries. This visit marks the first by a Syrian official to Tunisia since the two countries severed their relations in 2011 over the Bashar al-Assad regime's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
According to a statement by the Tunisian Foreign Ministry, the visit "comes within the framework of keenness on returning bilateral relations to their normal path." On Wednesday, Tunisia announced that the Assad regime would reopen the Syrian Embassy and name an ambassador to Tunisia. This followed a decision by Tunisian President Kais Saied to name an ambassador to Damascus, indicating that both countries are eager to restore diplomatic ties.
Last week, Mekdad visited Saudi Arabia for the first time in more than a decade. During his visit, the two countries agreed to resume consular services and flights, indicating a potential thaw in their relations. The Syrian regime has been exchanging official visits and contacts with several Arab countries in recent months, raising speculation about a possible resumption of Syria's membership in the Cairo-based Arab League, which was frozen in 2011.
Mekdad's visit to Tunisia is another step towards restoring Syria's diplomatic ties with Arab countries. The Assad regime has been isolated from the international community since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011. The Syrian government's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests led to the severing of diplomatic ties with many Arab countries, including Tunisia. However, with the war in Syria winding down, many Arab countries are looking to restore their relations with Syria, and Mekdad's visit to Tunisia is another sign of this trend.
The visit by the Syrian foreign minister will be closely watched by the international community, as it could signal a shift in the balance of power in the region. Syria's restoration of diplomatic ties with Arab countries could lead to a realignment of power in the region, with countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates potentially losing their influence. It remains to be seen how Mekdad's visit will play out, but it is clear that the Syrian regime is taking steps to restore its relations with Arab countries and re-establish its position in the region.
MENAFN17042023000045014228ID1106025207
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.