Jordan to host regional meeting on Syria

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The foreign ministers of several Arab countries will meet in Jordan on Monday to discuss reaching a political solution to the over a decade long Syrian conflict. 

The meeting comes as a follow up to previous discussions between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt in Jeddah two weeks ago, according to a statement by the Jordanian foreign ministry.

“Based on rapprochements made by these countries with the Syrian government, and the Jordanian initiative to reach a political solution for the Syrian crisis,” the ministry said. 

On April 15, the foreign ministers of Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt, and GCC states, called on solving the conflicts, agreeing on a “vital and leading Arab role” after years of futile efforts to solve the crisis.

Several days later, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived in Damascus and met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, ending more than a decade-old freeze in relations.

Arab nations broke off relations with Syria over Damascus’ crackdown on protests that grew into a civil war in 2011. Gulf countries, with Saudi Arabia in particular, supported the rebels while Riyadh’s regional rival, Iran, backed Assad.

A devastating earthquake on February 6 which tore through parts of Turkey and Syria prompted nations across the Arab world to extend a helping hand to the already war-torn country. 

Following the tragedy, Saudi Arabia said a consensus was emerging among Arab states that an end to Syria’s isolation and return to dialogue is needed in order to address the pending humanitarian issues.