Syria’s return to Arab fold prerogative of Arab League — Safadi

AMMAN — The decision to allow Syria rejoin the Arab League lies within the league itself, and according to established mechanisms, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Monday.

In press remarks following the conclusion of the Amman Consultative Meeting, Safadi said that the gathering is based on collective efforts to restore Syria's security, stability, welfare and its leading role in the region and the world, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

He emphasised the importance of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the country's unity and sovereignty, meets the aspirations of its people, eradicates terrorism and provides safe conditions for the voluntary return of refugees.

The participating Arab countries aim to build upon the collective efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis, Safadi added.

The current situation in Syria cannot continue, he said, adding that the methodology used to manage the crisis in the past “has only resulted in more destruction and devastation”. 

After 12 years, the crisis in Syria has left complex humanitarian, security, and political consequences, "but it is a challenge that we must face together,” the minister said.

“The discussions during the meeting have been direct and frank, aimed at reaching effective decisions that will lead to ending the crisis and alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people,” he said.

The Amman-hosted Consultative Meeting featured the participation of the foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt, along with the foreign minister of Syria. 

The Amman-held meeting was built on the understandings that had been achieved among the countries, based on the Jordanian initiative, which aims to use a leading Arab role to resolve the crisis in Syria, in line with a step-by-step methodology that is consistent with Resolution 2254 and leads to addressing the crisis and all its implications, Safadi said.

The meeting focused on the humanitarian aspect and steps to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, with involved parties agreeing on mechanisms to start organising the voluntary return of refugees in coordination with the UN, as well as delivering humanitarian aid to all those in need across Syria, he noted.

Talks also highlighted the issue of drug trafficking, which not only poses a threat to neighbouring countries but also to the entire region and beyond. The gathering agreed on measures to enhance cooperation to combat this issue and its associated risks, the minister said.

The parties also agreed to form a team of experts from all participating countries to build on the progress made during the meeting, notably to develop a roadmap for advancing towards a political solution to the crisis in Syria, Safadi added.