The UAE ambassador to Syria takes post in Damascus after nearly 13 years of cut ties

By ALBERT AJI
Associated Press

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Damascus in nearly 13 years has taken up his post as Syria is reintegrating into mainstream regional acceptance.  Syrian state media said Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad received Ambassador Hassan Ahmad al-Shihi’s credentials Tuesday. The UAE embassy was reopened in Syria in late 2018 and a charge d’affaires has been in charge of the diplomatic mission since then. Syrian President Bashar Assad visited the Gulf country in March 2022, the first Arab country to receive him since Syria’s civil war erupted nearly 13 years ago. In May, the 22-member Arab League agreed to reinstate Syria, ending a 12-year suspension.