Syria’s frozen OIC membership has been re-activated after nearly 13 years, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s initiative led to this decision during a meeting in Jeddah. Syria seeks to rebuild ties with Arab nations and received an invitation to an Arab League summit from Egypt’s president.
Syria’s membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was re-activated after being frozen for nearly 13 years. This decision was made during a meeting of the 57-member organization in Jeddah, as confirmed by a Turkish diplomatic source.
Following the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syrian officials are now keen to restore relations with neighboring Arab nations and Western countries. The Syrian civil war, lasting 11 years, led to the overthrow of Assad’s government, radically shifting the political landscape.
An initiative proposed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was pivotal in reviving Syria’s membership, which had been suspended since August 2012 due to the ongoing conflict. After the vote, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani was invited to join the meeting, marking Syria’s official reinstatement.
Turkey, a NATO member, has remained aligned with Syrian rebels against Assad and supports the new Islamist government in Syria. Turkey aims to assist in the reconstruction of the nation and the training of its military forces.
Furthermore, Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa received a formal invitation from Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to attend an upcoming Arab League summit, signaling an important move towards mending ties within the Arab community post-Assad era.
The reactivation of Syria’s OIC membership marks a significant shift after over a decade of exclusion. Driven by recent political changes, this decision is part of broader efforts to restore ties with Arab nations and Western powers. Turkey’s role in facilitating Syria’s readmission highlights its influence in the region during this transitional phase. The invitation to the Arab League summit further emphasizes the thawing relations in the Arab world following the civil war.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
