BEIRUT – Saudi Arabia´s foreign ministry said that the kingdom is in talks with Syria to resume consular services for the first time since 2012, Saudi state media reported.
According to Reuters, State-owned Al Ekhbariya TV reported the discussions, citing a source in the Saudi foreign ministry. Saudi and Syrian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
The restoration of diplomatic relations earlier this month between regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia, which since 2011 have supported rival groups in Syria´s conflict, may have been a turning point in Damascus´ political fortunes.
The surprise Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, which came about via Chinese mediation, quickly had ripple effects around the region.
Saudi Arabia´s foreign minister has publicly acknowledged that there is a growing consensus among Arab countries that dialogue with Damascus is necessary.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the next Arab League summit in May, where most states hope to restore Syria´s membership after it was suspended in 2011, the league´s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said earlier this month.
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