CAIRO, Dec 30 - Syria's newly appointed foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, urged Kuwait to reopen its embassy in Damascus and restore diplomatic relations following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. This appeal was made during a visit by Kuwaiti foreign minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and other diplomats, indicating a potential shift in regional relations.
During their visit, the Kuwaiti foreign minister and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi met with Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Al-Yahya stated that discussions focused on regional developments and cooperation.
At a joint press conference, Shibani expressed hope for the resumption of diplomatic ties, stating, "We call with all love and joy on brothers in Kuwait to open their embassy in Damascus and resume diplomatic relations very soon." Al-Yahya also urged the international community to reconsider sanctions placed on Syria and emphasized the need for urgent aid to the country.
The visit signifies an interest in fostering a new era of regional cooperation, as the Sunni Muslim Arab states had previously distanced themselves from the former Syrian administration due to its alliances with Shi'ite Iran and Russia during the civil conflict. In 2013, Syria was readmitted to the Arab League after a prolonged suspension.