Saudi Arabia's new ambassador to Syria arrived in Damascus to fill the post vacant since last year because of tension between the two Arab states, a Saudi diplomat said Tuesday. Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Eifan flew in Tuesday, said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia soured after the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri, a close Saudi ally. Syria was widely blamed for his death, but Damascus denied any responsibility. In July, Saudi appointed a new ambassador to Syria, the strongest sign yet of the solidifying reconciliation between the two rival Arab nations.
The United States and its Arab allies, including Saudi Arabia, have been working to boost ties with Syria in recent months in hopes of pulling it out of the fold of Iran and Islamic militant groups in the region. Last year, Saudi transferred its ambassador from Syria to Qatar, leaving the post vacant. The oil powerhouse sent a senior envoy to Damascus on June 28. Assad and Saudi King Abdullah met twice this year in Riyadh and Kuwait. El-Eifan held the post of ambassador to South Korea for three years.