Ex-Syrian official emphasized the importance of Syria and UAE Leaders calls, a Thaw in Relations
“The UAE's de facto ruler and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad recent phone call could be facilitate two countries relations”, a former member of the Syrian parliament Misa Al Saleh told ILNA.
In an exclusive interview with ILNA news agency, the Syrian professor said that Friday's phone call, however, is the first contact between an Arab leader and Assad and two leaders discussed the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak.
She added “Abu Dhabi Crown Prince expressed support towards Syrian people during these delicate and critical circumstances.”
According to reports, Syria's president and one of the United Arab Emirates' most powerful leaders spoke on the phone on Friday — signaling a major thaw in Damascus' troubled relations with Arab countries.
The UAE's de facto ruler, also known as MbZ, stated he discussed COVID-19 updates with Assad and "assured him of the support of the UAE and its willingness to help the Syrian people."
"Humanitarian solidarity during trying times supersedes all matters, and Syria and her people will not stand alone," MbZ tweeted.
Referring to the issue that the UAE became the first Arab country to reopen its embassy in Damascus, the Syrian activist added “Naturally, bin Zayed's telephone conversation with Assad has nothing to do with Syria's return to the Arab League.”
“Syria's return to the Arab League is a decision taken by the Syrian government and nation,” she confirmed.
In late 2018, the UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus, for the first time since an organized Arab diplomatic boycott soon after the Syrian war erupted in 2011. The embassy representation is at a charge d'affairs level but it’s very reopening was a sign that more rapprochement is likely to follow.
Five cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Syria since last Sunday, with rights groups deeply concerned about populations already pummelled by forces.
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