Saudi Foreign Minister Stresses Political Solution for Syria
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized the critical need for a political solution in Syria, affirming Riyadh's commitment to Syria's stability and territorial integrity.
Prince Faisal conveyed this message during a meeting with Geir Pedersen, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday.
"During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments on a political solution to the Syrian crisis and the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UN in this regard,” the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported.
"Prince Faisal reiterated the Kingdom's keenness to exert all efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis to preserve its unity, security, stability, and Arab affiliation, and achieve progress and prosperity for its people," the agency added.
The presence of US forces and military equipment in Syria since 2014, without authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate, has been a contentious issue. It has been justified by Washington under the pretext of combating Daesh, even after the terrorist group's defeat in late 2019.
Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving Syrian sovereignty coincides with the March agreement between Riyadh and Damascus to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies, ending over a decade of severed ties. This move prompted other Arab nations to swiftly seek the reestablishment of relations with Syria.
Two months later, Arab government representatives gathered in Cairo and voted to reinstate Syria's membership in the Arab League after a 12-year suspension. Thirteen out of the 22 member states that attended the session endorsed this decision.
