Saudi FM: Syria May Return to Arab League

Saudi Foreign Minister (FM) Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that increased communication with the Syrian Government may pave the way for its return to the Arab League with improved relations after more than ten years of isolation.

But the Saudi minister indicated it is too early at present to discuss such a

According to Reuters, the Saudi minister reiterated that the consensus is growing in the Arab world that isolating Syria does not work and that dialogue with Damascus is necessary, especially to address the humanitarian situation there.

"Dialogue to address these concerns is necessary," he told reporters in London. "It may eventually lead to Syria returning to the Arab League and so on. But at the moment I think it is too early to discuss this."

Saudi Arabia will host the Arab Summit this year. In response to a question about whether Syria would be invited to attend the summit, Prince Faisal said, "I think it is too early to talk about that."

"But I can say that there is a consensus in the Arab world, and that the status quo cannot continue. This means that we have to find a way to overcome it," he added.