Saudi Arabia and Egypt move toward rehabilitating Syrian dictator Assad in “victory for Russia and Iran”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The highly influential Arab governments of Saudi Arabia and Egypt have taken steps toward renewing diplomatic relations with Syrian dictator President Bashar Assad, in what has been described as a “victory for Russia and Iran,” CNS News reports. Assad is strongly supported by, and allied with, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran’s Islamic terrorism-sponsoring regime.

Over the past 11 years, Saudi Arabia had ostracized Assad after his violent crackdown on anti-regime dissenters led to the devastating civil war, which has torn Syria to shreds and taken more than 350,000 lives, CNS notes.

The Saudis had even provided funding for anti-Assad dissidents. Now, however, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan is expected to travel to Damascus to invite Assad to the annual Arab League summit Saudi Arabia is hosting next month, CNS reports.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Saturday met with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad in Cairo, where the two men “agreed to intensify channels of communication between the two countries at different levels during the next phase,” CNS reports.

“In light of the brotherhood and historical ties that link between the two countries, and the common Arab interest required of solidarity and brotherhood in the face of increasing regional and international challenges, the discussions addressed ways to help the Syrian people restore its unity and sovereignty on all its territories,” Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said about the meeting in a statement.

Describing the Saudi and Egyptian overtures toward Assadas as “a victory for Russia and Iran, not just Assad,” Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) senior fellow and director of research David Adesnik told CNS News: “Moscow and Tehran are determined to show Assad will pay no price for his crimes, nor will anyone hold them accountable for participating in the atrocities.”

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