Persian Gulf nations were among those that had previously backed efforts to train and arm rebel factions seeking to overthrow Assad. AdvertisementFor many Syrians affected by the conflict, Assad’s rehabilitation made them feel not only betrayed but also as if their suffering from the civil war had been erased from the region’s memory completely. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egypt's Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ahead of the Arab League Summit on May 19. And Qatar, which has feuded with other gulf states in recent years, said it disagreed with Syria’s re-inclusion in the Arab League but would not pose an “obstacle” to a move backed by regional powers. Mustafa, who continues to advocate for the return of her father, argued that Assad’s international reintegration also sent a “perilous message” beyond Syria’s borders to other authoritarian leaders.

Source: Washington Post May 20, 2023 22:39 UTC