Syria’s OIC membership has been reinstated after 13 years, following a Turkish initiative. This comes after the end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule by Syrian rebels. The move is seen as a step towards rebuilding Syria’s relations with Arab nations and Western powers.
Syria’s long-dormant membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been re-activated after a hiatus of almost 13 years. This development took place during a gathering of the 57-member organization in Jeddah, as confirmed by a diplomatic source from Turkey.
The suspension of Syria’s participation was a consequence of the civil war, which saw the end of Bashar al-Assad’s five-decade rule when Syrian rebels, primarily led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), succeeded in toppling him last December. The newly established government of Syria aims to re-establish diplomatic relations with Arab nations and Western powers following this significant political change.
At the recent OIC meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s initiative to reinstate Syria’s membership was met with approval by the member states. The OIC had previously decided to freeze Syria’s membership in August 2012 due to ongoing conflict in the region. Immediately following the vote, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani took his seat amid applause from member states, as evidenced by a video released by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry.
Turkey, a NATO member, has a history of supporting anti-Assad rebels and currently backs the new Islamist government in Syria. The Turkish government remains committed to aiding in the country’s reconstruction efforts and providing military training. Recently, Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa received an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to attend an Arab League summit in Cairo, signaling a pivotal move towards rebuilding Syria’s relations within the Arab world post-Assad’s regime.
The re-activation of Syria’s OIC membership marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to mend ties with both Arab nations and Western states following a long period of conflict. Supported by Turkey’s diplomatic initiatives, this development may facilitate Syria’s reconstruction and its reintegration into international forums.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
