There will be no Haj pilgrimage for Syrians this year as the relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia have just been restored …reports Asian Lite News
Syrians’ Haj pilgrimage to the Islamic holy cities of Medina and Mecca in Saudi Arabia will be resumed in 2024 after 12 years of suspension, Syria’s head of Hajj affairs said.
There will be no Haj pilgrimage for Syrians this year as the relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia have just been restored and the Haj arrangements need time and coordination, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper quoted Hassan Nasrallah as saying on Wednesday.
The Muslim Haj pilgrimage in 2023 will be observed between July 18 and 23, Xinhua news agency reported.
In the years when the Syrian-Saudi relations were severed, Syrian pilgrims who wanted to perform Haj needed to obtain visas from neighbouring countries.
Syria and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume consular services in April and restored full diplomatic relations this month.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended the Arab Summit held in Saudi Arabia last week for the first time in 12 years, marking the return of Syria to the Arab fold after long years of isolation.
Syrian refugees
A total of 50 Syrian refugees from Lebanon have reached the refugee camps in Syria’s northern Raqqa province controlled by the Kurdish-led militias, a war monitor reported on Tuesday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the refugees, mostly women, and children, reached Raqqa overnight on Monday via illegal smuggling routes carrying little belongings.
The observatory said those people were forced to leave after their homes were raided by Lebanese security forces.
The report collaborates with stories emerging from Lebanon about Lebanese forces cracking down on Syrian refugees who don’t have legal residency in Lebanon.
The UK-based watchdog group said there are currently 54 refugee camps in Raqqa, housing displaced Syrians from several areas. It noted that the humanitarian situation there is dire.
The visit, the first since the beginning of the ongoing Syrian war in 2011, comes as Damascus and Riyadh have resumed diplomatic missions…reports Asian Lite News
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has arrived in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah to attend the Arab League’s 32nd Summit on Friday, marking the first time since the war-torn nation was suspended from the regional body 12 years ago.
Upon his arrival late Thursday night, Assad was greeted by Prince Badr bin Sultan, the deputy governor of Mecca, along with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, and several other local officials, according to the Syrian presidential media office in Damascus.
Striking a positive vibe, Assad smiled while shaking hands with the officials receiving him at the airport.
The visit, the first since the beginning of the ongoing Syrian war in 2011, comes as Damascus and Riyadh have resumed diplomatic missions in both countries, which had been suspended since November 2011.
Earlier this month, the Arab League voted to reinstate Syria’s membership in the 22-member regional bloc.
At a meeting of the Arab League Foreign Ministers on Wednesday, Aboul-Gheit had declared that he hoped that “Syria’s regaining of its seat is a precursor to the end of its conflict”, reports the BBC.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also welcomed Syria, saying: “Our world today is facing numerous challenges and difficulties that place us at a crossroads… It is necessary for us to stand together and try harder to strengthen joint Arab action to meet them.”
As a result of the war in Syria, half of the country’s pre-conflict population of 22 million have had to flee their homes.
Some 6.8 million people are internally displaced, while another 6 million are refugees or asylum-seekers abroad, reports the BBC.
Even before the February 6 devastating earthquake struck, an estimated 15.3 million people inside Syria were in need of some form of humanitarian assistance — an all-time high since the war began.
UAE Chargé d’Affaires Ebraheem Al-Nuaimi handed Syrian President Bashar al-assad an official invitation from the UAE President to attend the conference in November….reports Asian Lite News
Syrian President Bashar al-assad received an official invitation from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to attend the Climate Conference of the Parties (COP28), which will be held in Dubai.
President al-Assad received AbdulHakeem Ebraheem Al-Nuaimi, Chargé d’Affaires of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Damascus, who handed him an official invitation to attend the conference, which will be held in Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12 .
During a preparatory Arab League meeting for the Economic and Social Council in Jeddah, Damascus has called on Arab countries to invest in the war-torn nation, now reinstated to the regional organisation.
“We invite you to participate in investing in Syria, where there are important opportunities and promising horizons,” Syria’s minister for economy and trade, Mohammed Samer al-Khalil, said as he addressed the opening session of the conference in Jeddah.
Recently, the Syrian Foreign Ministry announced the resumption of its diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia following a reciprocal move from the kingdom.
The decision to reopen the diplomatic mission emanates from the deep ties between both countries, their people’s aspirations, and the importance of enhancing bilateral relations between Arab countries to serve the joint Arab work, the Syrian ministry said in a statement.
The move came after Saudi Arabia announced the reopening of its diplomatic mission in Syria earlier on Tuesday, indicating that both countries have normalized relations.
On Sunday, Arab foreign ministers decided during a meeting in Cairo to re-admit Syria to the Arab League after 12 years of suspension.
On April 12, the Syrian Foreign Ministry announced that Damascus and Riyadh had agreed to resume consular services and air flights between the two countries after the minister visited Riyadh for the first time since 2011, a prelude to restoring full diplomatic representation on Tuesday.
COP28 preparations
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment issued Decree No. (138) of 2023. This decree pertains to regulating the use and distribution of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the country, aiming to control their circulation and prevent their emission into the atmosphere.
This decree is established within the context of the Year of Sustainability, aligning with the UAE’s preparations to host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) this year.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), often referred to as refrigerant gases, are classified among greenhouse gases that intensify global warming and affect the ozone layer. Hence, this decree is a significant step in the UAE’s endeavor to uphold its obligations towards climate change mitigation and curbing harmful emissions.
The regulations outlined in this decision are applicable across the UAE, encompassing all free zones and entities engaged in HFC-related activities. As per the decision, all such establishments must adhere to several procedures. These include registering with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, providing the establishment’s commercial or industrial license, obtaining a warehouse license, and reporting the annual quantities of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) imported over the past three years.
Moreover, they must secure a permit from the ministry to manufacture, import, export, re-export, or transit HFCs or recycled or reclaimed materials derived from HFCs, following all necessary approvals from local authorities.
The decree also stipulates that establishments must submit to the ministry quarterly reports detailing the quantities of hydrofluorocarbons sold, utilized, and remaining in stock. They also need to secure prior consent from the relevant authority when disposing of waste hydrofluorocarbons and equipment containing them. For transboundary disposals, establishments must adhere to the obligations of the signatory nations under the Basel Convention, which governs the control of cross-border movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
اللاذقية في 7 مايو / وام / بلغ إجمالي أعداد المستفيدين من المساعدات الانسانية والطبية والعلاجية نحو 1100 أسرة سورية بمجموع 6000 شخص، من بينهم 300 مستفيد سوري من الحالات الطبية العاجلة، وذلك بحسب ما صرح به وفد الهلال الأحمر الإماراتي في سوريا العامل ضمن عملية "الفارس الشهم 2"؛ والتي أطلقتها قيادة العمليات المشتركة في وزارة الدفاع.
وجاءت تلك المبادرة الإنسانية والتي يقودها الهلال الأحمر الإماراتي بالتعاون مع مديرية صحة اللاذقية، في إطار جهود الإمارات الإنسانية والإغاثية المتواصلة للتخفيف عن معاناة الأسر المتضررة بعد زلزال 6 فبراير الماضي والوقوف إلى جانب الأشقاء السوريين في ظروفهم الراهنة خاصة مع نزوح الكثيرين منهم إلى ريف اللاذقية والمناطق المحيطة بها.
وشملت التخصصات الطبية والتي أشرف عليها وفد الهلال الأحمر الإماراتي بالتعاون مع الهلال الأحمر العربي السوري، من يعانون من مرض السرطان وتوفير العلاج الكيماوي للمرضى، بالإضافة إلى التخصصات الطارئة والحرجة من كسور وعمليات القلب والعيون والسمع وعمليات استبدال مفصل كامل بالإضافة إلى توزيع عددٍ من الكراسي المتحركة.
وأوضح وفد الهلال الأحمر الإماراتي، أنه تم إعداد ملف طبي كامل للمرضي غير القادرين والمتضررين من زلزال 6 فبراير والبدء في إجراءات تلقي العلاج وإجراء عمليات جراحية فورية كما تم إرسال 10 حالات عاجلة إلى دولة الإمارات لتلقي العلاج هناك؛ لهؤلاء ممن شملتهم الرعاية الصحية ومتواجدين في مناطق مفرق بسيسين في عين البردة وقرية القلايع وريف جبلة والقرداحة وعدد من المناطق في محافظة اللاذقية السورية.
وكانت "عملية الفارس الشهم 2 " من أهم صور دعم دولة الإمارات بتوجيهات القيادة الرشيدة للشعب السوري، تم خلالها تسيير 181 طائرة و3 سفـن محملة بالمواد الغذائية الأساسية والأدوية والمستلزمات الطبية، وذلك في إطار جهودها لتعزيز مرحلة التعافي لصالح الشعب السوري الشقيق.
The ERC-led humanitarian initiatives came in cooperation with Latakia Health Directorate as part of the UAE’s continuous humanitarian and relief efforts…reports Asian Lite News
The number of beneficiaries of humanitarian, medical and treatment aid has reached about 1,100 Syrian families, with some 6,000 people, including 300 Syrian beneficiaries of urgent medical cases, according to the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) delegation in Syria operating as part of Operation “Gallant Knight 2” that was launched by the Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence.
The ERC-led humanitarian initiatives came in cooperation with Latakia Health Directorate as part of the UAE’s continuous humanitarian and relief efforts to alleviate the suffering of the affected families after the 6th February earthquake and to stand by the fraternal people of Syria in their current circumstances, especially with the displacement of many of them to the countryside of Latakia and its surrounding areas.
The medical specialities, supervised by the ERC delegation in cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, included those suffering from cancer with chemotherapy treatment for patients, in addition to emergency and critical specialities such as fractures, heart operations, ophthalmology, hearing, and total joint replacement operations, in addition to the distribution of several wheelchairs.
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The ERC delegation said that a complete medical file had been prepared for the vulnerable and affected patients by the earthquake, and the procedures started for receiving treatment and performing immediate surgeries. The delegation also added that ten urgent cases from several areas in Latakia were sent to the UAE for medical treatment.
Operation “Gallant Knight 2” is one of the essential forms of the UAE’s support for the Syrian people under the wise leadership’s directives.
Some 181 aircraft and three ships loaded with basic foodstuffs, medicines and medical supplies were airlifted as part of its efforts to enhance the recovery phase for the benefit of the Syrian people.
The photo shows the scene of an Arab League (AL) extraordinary meeting held in Cairo, Egypt on May 7. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
The Arab foreign ministers have agreed on the necessity to intensify efforts “to help Syria out of its crisis”, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Arab foreign ministers decided in an Arab League (AL) extraordinary meeting held in Cairo on Sunday to restore Syria’s membership in the league after 12 years of suspension, said a final statement after the meeting.
The AL council meeting at the ministerial level decided to resume “the participation of delegations of the government of Syria in the meetings of the AL council and all its organizations and bodies as of May 7, 2023,” read the statement issued by the pan-Arab organization.
The Arab foreign ministers also agreed on the necessity to intensify efforts “to help Syria out of its crisis.”
Assad dials MBZ
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a phone call yesterday evening from President Bashar al-Assad of the Arab Republic of Syria.
During the call, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them further.
President al-Assad expressed Syria’s appreciation for the UAE’s role in strengthening relations and enhancing cooperation between Arab nations, for the benefit of those countries and their people.
‘A step in the right direction’
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Sunday said the Arab League (AL)’s decision to restore Syria’s membership in the league is a step in the right direction to a unified Arab stance.
“This decision was delayed for years, but it is a step in the right direction towards a return to Arab righteousness,” Berri said in a statement released by the National News Agency.
He added: “With the return of Syria to the Arabs and the return of the Arabs to Syria, there is a glimmer of hope for a new resurrection of joint Arab action.”
Meanwhile, caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said “Lebanon was among the first to call for Syria’s return to the Arab League, and it was against suspending its membership.”
Arab foreign ministers decided in an AL extraordinary meeting held in Cairo on Sunday to restore Syria’s membership in the league after 12 years of suspension.
‘Qatar’s stance unchanged’
Qatar said its position regarding normalising ties with Syria remains unchanged, Qatar’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.
In a statement carried by the QNA, Majed bin Mohammad Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Qatar always seeks to support achieving Arab consensus and will not be an obstacle to that.
Yet he said the official position of Qatar on normalization with “the Syrian regime” is a decision linked primarily to progress in the political solution that fulfills the aspirations of the Syrian people.
Qatar will “work with the Arab brothers in achieving the aspirations of the Syrian people … and for this consensus to be a motive for the Syrian regime to address the roots of the crisis,” he said.
Al Ansari also reaffirmed Qatar’s support for all regional and international efforts to find a comprehensive and just solution to the crisis that respects Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Qatar has recently ruled out all chances of joining the regional reconciliation wave with Syria.
AL ministerial panel for Sudan
The Arab League Council issued a resolution to form an Arab ministerial contact group to communicate with the Sudanese parties and influential countries, aiming to reach a settlement of the crisis in Sudan.
The resolution, made during the Council’s emergency meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, is meant to intensify Arab efforts to find a peaceful solution to the current conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted in mid-April.
Under the resolution, the contact group would include representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Arab League, according to an Arab League statement.
The contact group will hold communication with the Sudanese parties, influential countries regionally and internationally as well as relevant international organizations, according to the statement.
The committee aims to reach a complete and sustainable ceasefire in Sudan and address the causes of the crisis.
It will further coordinate with international relief organizations to provide urgent humanitarian and medical support to citizens and displaced persons inside Sudan.
The group will also work to help those taking refuge in neighboring countries.
The Council also stressed the need to fully respect Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and not to interfere in its internal affairs to avoid fueling conflict and threatening regional peace and security.
A welcome ceremony was organised for Raisi at the Qasr al-Sha’ab presidential palace after which he met President Bashar al-Assad….reports Asian Lite News
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Syria on Wednesday, marking the first visit by an Iranian leader since the beginning of the conflict in the Arab nation in 2011.
Raisi was received by Syrian Foreign Ministry officials and representatives from the presidency at the Damascus International Airport, reports Xinhua news agency.
A welcome ceremony was organised for Raisi at the Qasr al-Sha’ab presidential palace after which he met President Bashar al-Assad.
According to Iranian state media, the two leaders are expected to hold extensive political and economic talks, followed by the signing of a number of agreements.
The delegation accompanying Raisi includes Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and other senior officials.
Iran has supported al-Assad during the Syrian war.
The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing security and combating terrorism in all its forms….reports Asian Lite News
Syria and Saudi Arabia have agreed in a joint statement to resume consular services and flights, after the bilateral ties have been stranded for years.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad arrived in Saudi Arabia for a visit on Wednesday, amid a thaw in ties between Damascus and Riyadh, reported Al Jazeera.
According to Saudi and Syrian state media, Mekdad arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday after receiving an invitation from Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
The Saudi foreign ministry said the two top diplomats held a session of talks on efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the unity, security and stability of Syria.
They also discussed facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, and securing humanitarian access to the affected areas in Syria.
The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing security and combating terrorism in all its forms, and enhancing cooperation in combating drug smuggling and trafficking.
The joint statement also emphasized the need to support the institutions of the Syrian state to extend its control over its territories to end the presence of armed militias and external interference in the Syrian internal affairs.
Both sides also discussed the necessary steps to achieve a comprehensive political settlement of the Syrian crisis that would end all its repercussions, achieve national reconciliation, and contribute to the return of Syria to its Arab fold and the resumption of its role in the Arab world.
The visit to Saudi Arabia is the first by a Syrian foreign minister since the war in Syria in 2011. Although Saudi Arabia backed the Syrian opposition, the relations with the ruling regime have thawed recently, reported Al Jazeera.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has mostly defeated the Opposition attempts to unseat him from power, with support from Russia and Iran.
During the past few months, there has been increasing engagement with Al-Assad, who has been isolated ever since the Syrian war began.
Assad travelled to the UAE and Oman this year, while Saudi Arabia announced last month that talks for resumption of consular services with Damascus had begun, reported Al Jazeera.
On Friday, a gathering of regional foreign ministers will be held in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria’s re-admission to the Arab League.
Following reports of a potential restoration of relations, Saudi official media stated last month that talks were underway between Damascus and Riyadh to reinstate consular services.
Diplomatic attempts have up steam after Saudi Arabia decided last month to normalise relations with Iran, a significant ally of the Syrian regime, Al Jazeera reported. (with inputs from ANI)
The two sides discussed the necessary steps to achieve a comprehensive political settlement to the crisis in Syria that would end all its repercussions…reports Asian Lite News
Syria and Saudi Arabia have agreed in a joint statement to resume consular services and flights, after the bilateral ties have been stranded for years.
The announcement came as Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad wrapped up his visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the first time since the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Xinhua news agency reported.
The statement on Wednesday said both Syria and Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume the consular services and the flights between the two countries, stressing that both sides have agreed on boosting security and counter-terrorism efforts, according to the Syrian Foreign Ministry.
The two sides discussed the necessary steps to achieve a comprehensive political settlement to the crisis in Syria that would end all its repercussions, achieve national reconciliation, and contribute to the return of Syria to its Arab surroundings and the resumption of its natural role in the Arab world, according to the statement.
The two countries also agreed to resolve humanitarian difficulties and offer a suitable environment for assistance to reach all parts of Syria, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The two sides stressed the importance of the return of Syrian refugees and displaced individuals to their areas, along with taking the required steps to stabilise the situation in the country.
Mekdad’s visit to Saudi Arabia came upon the invitation by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, as the relations between both countries are on the way to normalisation.
On Wednesday, Tunisia and Syria decided to reopen their respective embassies to resume diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Top Egyptian diplomat reiterated Egypt’s full support for Pedersen’s efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement in Syria…reports Asian Lite News
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has called for an end to all forms of terrorism and foreign “interference” in Syria in order to restore its security and stability.
During a phone call with the United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen, the top Egyptian diplomat reiterated Egypt’s full support for Pedersen’s efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement in Syria, in line with Security Council Resolution 2254, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
The UAE president also expressed his condolences over the earthquake victims, stressing his confidence in Syria’s ability and determination to overcome the ordeal….reports Asian Lite News
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad paid a state visit accompanied by his wife Asma al-Assad to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday.
The Syrian President and First Lady were received by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon their arrival at Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital.
During their meeting at the Presidential palace, the two presidents discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation, which would contribute to achieving their mutual interests, reported WAM news agency.
The UAE president also expressed his condolences over the earthquake victims, stressing his confidence in Syria’s ability and determination to overcome the ordeal.
The Syrian President extended thanks and appreciation to the UAE government and people’s position and their immediate response while addressing the ordeal caused by the earthquake.
He also said that the UAE’s assistance was qualitative and provided with love, friendship and fraternity, leaving a significant impact on the Syrian people.
Assad also extended thanks and appreciation for the UAE’s embrace of the Syrian community during various circumstances.
He lauded the virtues, values and deep-rooted approach in establishing the UAE, reflected in the Emirati stance towards fraternal countries.
The Syrian President emphasised his country’s keenness on the sustainability of enhancing its fraternal relations with the UAE.
The visit came at a time when the UAE is helping Syria return to the Arab fold following years of diplomatic isolation after the Syrian war broke out in 2011.
The UAE resumed its diplomatic ties with Syria in 2018, and is spearheading the relief aid delivery to Syria in the wake of last month’s earthquakes as well as mediations apparently to normalize relations between Syria and major regional powers such as Saudi Arabia.
The UAE has sent hundreds of relief planes, including those provided by Arab and other foreign countries, to quake-hit Syria.
