Egypt's Diplomat Visits Syria For The First Time In Over 10 Years

Egypt's foreign minister met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday in what is the first visit by a top Egyptian envoy to Syria since its civil war began in 2011. A significant indicator of healing relations between President Bashar al-Assad and Arab countries.

Since devastating earthquakes struck his nation and its neighbour Turkey this month, Assad has benefited from an outpouring of Arab support, which has lessened the diplomatic isolation he has experienced due to Syria's civil war, which started in 2011.

"I had the honour this morning to meet with President Bashar Al-Assad to convey to His Excellency a message from His Excellency President Al-Sisi.

"A message of solidarity and sympathy with the Syrian people and our readiness to provide whatever support we can to confront the effects of the earthquake," said Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian Foreign Minister.

"The relations between the two peoples are well-established and strong. 

"We are always working on solidarity and to confront the challenges facing the Syrian people, and we look forward to Syria overcoming the consequences of this earthquake," added Sameh Shoukry.  

Although relations between Cairo and Damascus have remained largely unbroken throughout the conflict, Syria was suspended from the Cairo-based Arab League in 2011 and some other Arab nations have severed ties with it.

Since the 2013 coup that brought Sisi to power, ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and outlawed his Muslim Brotherhood—many of whose members had sought asylum in Turkey—relations between Cairo and Ankara have been tense.

Sisi and Erdogan shook hands in November in Qatar, marking what the Egyptian government hailed as a new phase in their relationship.