Algeria, Iraq, Jordan want Syria to return to Arab League: group’s head

By Ibrahim al-Khazin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Algeria, Iraq and Jordan have a desire for the Syrian regime to return to retain its seat on the Arab League, according to Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

"Some Arab countries are quietly opening up to Syria," Aboul Gheit told Egyptian channel Sada Al-Balad, late Wednesday."But I, as secretary-general, have not personally observed any formal or informal request regarding the start of procedures."

Aboul Gheit also clarified that "there is a confirmed summit in Algeria in March."

He asserted that "Algeria is at the forefront of the Syrian return. Iraq is talking about the Syrian return. And Jordan has a desire for Syria to return to start contacts and to return ambassadors and all of this represents the beginning of a momentum."

The majority of the Arab League voted Nov. 12, 2011, to suspend the membership of the Syrian regime in response to its crimes against Syrians.

The development of Arab normalization with the Syrian regime has witnessed, in the last three months, intense and rare bilateral meetings, transitory economic agreements and understandings with Arab countries, especially with Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.