DAMASCUS — Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan arrived in Damascus on Tuesday in a first visit by a Saudi official to Syria since 2011. Saudi Foreign Ministry said the visit comes within the framework of Saudi Arabia's keenness and interest to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that ends all its repercussions and preserves Syria's unity, security, stability, and Arab identity. It also aims to restore Syria to its Arab surroundings, in a way that achieves the good of its people. Prince Faisal was received upon his arrival at Damascus International Airport by the Minister of Presidency Affairs Mansour Azzam. The visit comes few days after the visit of Syrian Foreign Minister Dr. Faisal Mekdad to Jeddah, and at a time when Arab countries are discussing the possibility of Damascus returning to the Arab League. Saudi Arabia and Syria agreed on the importance of resolving humanitarian difficulties and providing a suitable environment for aid to reach all areas in Syria. They also agreed to create the necessary conditions for the return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons to their areas, ending their suffering and enabling them to return safely to their homeland, and taking further measures that would contribute to stabilizing the situation in the entire Syrian territories. Saudi Arabia and Syria started procedures for the resumption of consular and diplomatic services and flights between the two countries. Last Friday, Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting of the GCC countries, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, to discuss the Syrian crises. They called for unity in Syria and its return to the Arab fold. They stressed the need to preserve Syria's sovereignty by ending the presence of militias, emphasizing that the political solution is the only solution to the Syrian crisis.
