Alwaght- When Syrian crisis broke out in 2011, perhaps a few people thought that one day will come when the Arab backers of Syrian armed rebels and terrorist groups will race for détente with Damascus and roll out red carpet for President Bashar al-Assad. But this came true today and al-Assad’s reclaim of the Arab League seat bears witness to it.
The Syrian leader on Thursday arrived in Saudi Arabia to rejoin other Arab leaders for Friday Arab League summit after 12 years and was given official reception by the Saudi officials. His Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad had visited the kingdom on Monday for arrangement meetings.
“This is a new opportunity for us to tell our Arab brothers that we are not looking to the past, but to the future,” Mekdad said.
Al-Assad’s visit to Saudi Arabia took place after the foreign ministers of the Arab League, on May 7, in an extraordinary meeting, announced their decision to lift the suspension of Syria’s membership in the regional body. After that, the world media reported, quoting the diplomatic officials of the Arab countries, that he will attend the first meeting of the heads of the Arab countries in Jeddah. Arrangements for Syria’s return to the Arab League were started years ago by some countries, including Algeria and Iraq, but with the opposition of a small number of members, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, this process took some time to conclude. However, with political developments gaining pace in recent months, the efforts came to fruition.
The return was finally facilitated after Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed ties after seven years of political tensions. Following the rapprochement of the two regional heavyweights, the course of developments moved to further convergence among the Muslim countries.
A failure to the US
Despite Arab normalization with Syria, the US continues to set up roadblocks ahead of this reconciliation path. The US Department of State reacted to Assad presence in Gaza, saying that it does not support the invitation. In recent days, the White House extended “National emergency with Respect to the Actions of Government of Syria” and publicly showed that this country is not on the same page with the Arab countries regarding Syria and that it is extremely angry at the arbitrary action of its allies.
In 2011, Arab countries thought that Syrian opposition forces will soon take the power and so were deceived into supporting them by the US and Israel. But their calculations proved wrong and the Syrian government and nation managed to shatter all the plots of their enemies with unwavering assistance from their staunch allies Russia and Iran. Now, Damascus has victoriously weathered the trap the West set for it, and the American objection to Arab détente with Damascus finds no listening ear among Arab leaders. Analysts agree that sitting with al-Assad on one table was a defiance of the White House and a sign that the latter can no longer dictate policies to the regional states. In other words, the Arab disregard of the dictated US policy signals end to Washington’s hegemony in West Asia region. Growing aware of the distrust of its allies to Washington, the White House has tried to reverse part of its policy defeats by continuing occupation in northern Syria and plunder of the country’s oil resources, but with the Arab-Syrian alliance rising, the Americans will have no way but fleeing and they may pull out of Syria even more scandalously than their withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Syria breaking out of regional isolation
Syrian return to the Arab League and al-Assad’s attendance of the bloc’s summit after 12 years demonstrate Syria’s exit from regional isolation and increase in Damascus interaction with the world. The invitation of al-Assad the Arab League meeting is seen a historic victory for Syria and will give Damascus legitimacy boost in the Arab world.
This largely symbolic event ushers in a period of stronger Arab-Syrian ties and marks return of Syria to its right position in the region. The country was neglected for over a decade and is in a dire straits economically. With the diplomatic progress made, Damascus officials hope they can take steps in improving living conditions of their nation. Although the West, by imposing sanctions, is trying to prevent Damascus from taking advantage of positive diplomatic atmosphere, Arab countries can play an important role in providing financial aid to Syria.
With Arab political re-engagement with Syria, economic relations will also be strengthened and trade with Syria will, to a large extent, curtail the negative repercussions of the American sanctions. During his Jeddah presence, al-Assad could convince the Arab countries for active presence in his country’s market, as some countries have already expressed their interest to do so.
Al-Assad’s overt visit to some Persian Gulf countries in recent months shows that the foundations of his power have been consolidated on the domestic and international arenas. Actually, Assad walking with his head help up in the Arab capitals shows the authority and strengthened position of the new Syria that emerged stronger from a devastating 10-year crisis.
During a crisis unprecedented in a century, Syria showed that it can beat problems it faces and now it gained tremendous experience in fighting terrorist groups and managing the crisis and civil conflict, and its return to the Arab League will enhance the position of this international organization that can use Syrian experiences in the time of crisis. Given Syrian record and position in the Arab world, Damascus return can boost the bloc’s image internationally. This will also give Syria an effective role in regional decisions, especially when it comes to fighting terrorism and supporting the Palestinian cause.
Al-Assad’s participation in Arab League summit was a heavy blow to the Americans and Israelis who struggled for a decade to topple him and install a puppet government. But now even Arab leaders who not long ago were on the same front with the enemies of Syria are turning a blind eye to Washington and extend hand of friendship to their Syrian brothers.
