Syrian FM Visits Algeria to Discuss Regional, Int'l Developments

Mekdad will discuss bilateral relations and coordination, as well as the latest developments on the international arena and in inter-Arab relations, with senior Algerian officials, the state-run news agency, Al-Ekhbariya reported.

Mekdad said upon his arrival that the two countries share a strong bond that needs to be reinforced and developed. Earlier in the week, Mekdad visited Saudi Arabia, which was the first visit of a Syrian official to the country since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria. The sides agreed to resume air traffic and the functioning of consulates, as well as underscored the necessity of a political settlement in Syria and a safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

Foreign ministers from several Arab states met in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Friday for consultations, which continued for 2.5 hours and ended with a consensus that Arab leadership and unity would benefit the political resolution of the Syrian crisis and the country's return to the Arab League.

Participants from six (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Countries, as well as Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan, called for the leading role of Arab countries in ending the Syrian crisis in a final statement. The statement also emphasized the importance of strengthening consultations for the success of Arab efforts to end the crisis in Syria, which can only be resolved through political means.

The participants also reaffirmed the need to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Syria and ensure the free delivery of humanitarian aid to all regions of the country. The meeting was designed to promote cooperation to counter the various crises that the region is facing.

Syria's membership in the Arab League was frozen in November 2011, after the outbreak of a foreign-backed armed conflict in the country.