Arab Leaders Are Bringing Syria's Assad Back 'In From The Cold'

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad welcomes a delegation from the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Damascus, Syria [Syrian Presidency/Reuters]  

The Cradle: Egyptian FM in Syria for first high-level visit since 2011  

The Egyptian diplomat was received by his Syrian counterpart, and met with President Bashar al-Assad, signifying Damascus’ gradual return to the regional fold  

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry arrived in Damascus on 27 February to meet with President Bashar al-Assad and express his country’s solidarity with Syria following the devastating earthquake, signifying continued warming of relations between the Syrian government and regional states. 

The visit to Syria represents the first by a high-level Egyptian official since the start of the US-backed war in 2011. Upon his arrival at Damascus International Airport, Shoukry was received by Syria’s Foreign Minister, Faisal Mekdad.  

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WNU Editor: The visit by the Egyptian foreign minister was not the only Arab official visiting Damascus this week .... Syria’s Assad meets senior Arab lawmakers in Damascus (Al Jazeera). 

 This is also another sign on the declining influence of the U.S. in the region.