Sudanese president visits Syrian capital Damascus

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Sunday arrived in Syria’s capital Damascus, the first Arab leader to do so since the Syrian crisis erupted in 2011, state news agency SANA reported.

The Sudanese president was received by his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad at the international airport of Damascus, SANA said.

Al-Bashir arrived in Damascus for an official working visit.

During their meeting, the two leaders agreed that the crises in many Arab countries require new approaches based on the respect of the sovereignty and the policy of non-interference in their internal affairs.

Al-Bashir wished Syria a quick recovery, hoping that its people can determine their own future without foreign interventions.

The Sudanese president also highlighted his country’s support to Syria, saying Sudan is ready to provide whatever needed to support the territorial integrity and unity of Syria.

For his part, Assad said al-Bashir’s visit will give a strong push toward restoring the bilateral relations to what they were before the war.

Al-Bashir arrived in the afternoon and left the country hours later in the evening.

Throughout the Syrian crisis since 2011, most Arab countries have cut or downgraded their diplomatic relations with Syria.

But in recent months, reports emerged that some Arab countries had requested the resumption of their diplomatic relations with Syria.

The fresh nudge in the diplomatic relations comes amid a succession of victories of the Syrian army, which enabled the Syrian government to control much of the country.