Assad caps return to Arab fold at Saudi-hosted summit
Arab leaders welcomed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad back into the fold on Friday at a summit in Saudi Arabia that was also expected to confront conflicts across the Middle East and beyond. A triumphant Assad called for a "new phase" in regional cooperation in his remarks to the summit, which also featured a surprise appearance by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a sign of host Saudi Arabia's growing diplomatic clout. It was the first time Assad had appeared at the Arab League since Syria was suspended in 2011 over the brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators that led to civil war. "I hope that it marks the beginning of a new phase of Arab action for solidarity among us, for peace in our region, development and prosperity instead of war and destruction," Assad told the gathering in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah. As leaders walked into the main hall, Assad exchanged greetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and before the opening ceremony he met Tunisia's president and the vice president of the United Arab Emirates. "I would like to loudly welcome Syria back to its seat among its brothers," Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane said in the opening speech of the summit. "We are pleased today by the attendance of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in this summit," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, said in his remarks, adding he hoped the return would lead to "stability" in Syria. In his speech, Assad thanked Prince Mohammed "for the great role he played and the intense efforts he exerted to promote reconciliation in our region." (AFP)