Top Egyptian diplomat makes rare visit to Syria

DAMASCUS — Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, in Damascus on Monday, the first visit by a senior Egyptian diplomat since the start of Syria's civil war about 12 years ago.

In their meeting, Shoukry conveyed a message from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who reaffirmed his country's support for Syria in facing the repercussions of the recent earthquakes, the media office of the Syrian presidency reported.

Shoukry also conveyed the Egyptian president's willingness to boost and develop relations between the two countries, it said.

The foreign minister said his country considered the Syrian-Egyptian relationship an essential pillar in protecting Arab countries, stressing that Egypt will always stand ready to help Syria and its people.

For his part, Assad noted that Syria is willing to enhance relations with Arab countries, especially Egypt.

On Feb 6, strong earthquakes jolted large swathes of the Turkish-Syrian border, killing tens of thousands of people in the two countries.

Egypt hopes to provide more quake assistance in full coordination with the Syrian government, having already donated some 1,500 metric tons, Shoukry said, standing alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.

The Arab League suspended Syria in 2011 when the civil war began. In recent years, some Arab states, most notably the United Arab Emirates, have shifted their approaches toward normalizing ties. Since the deadly quakes, Assad's government has received calls and aid from several Arab leaders, including Sisi.

Shoukry did not respond to reporters' questions on whether Egypt would support lifting the Arab League's suspension of Syria.

Ties between Syria and Egypt were briefly cut during the government of former president Mohammed Morsi. Egypt reopened its embassy in Syria in 2013.

In addition to visiting Damascus, Shoukry also traveled to Turkiye.

Xinhua - Agencies