The UAE appoints its first ambassador to Damascus since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011

The UAE has sent an ambassador to Damascus for the first time since the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011. The new UAE ambassador, Hassan al-Shehhi, presented his credentials to Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad at the ministry’s headquarters in the Syrian capital.

Syria has gradually resumed diplomatic relations with the Arab region in recent years, after many Arab countries recalled their ambassadors and closed the headquarters of embassies, in response to the events that erupted in 2011.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, last March, and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was at the forefront of his receivers. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said he held positive and constructive talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Assad said that the UAE’s role to ensure strong relations between Arab countries intersects with Damascus’ vision of the need to strengthen bilateral relations between Arab countries.