Syrian Delegation in Riyadh to Deliver Summit Invitation

A Syrian delegation is in Saudi Arabia to invite the regional powerhouse to an Arab summit in Damascus at the end of the month, the Syrian ambassador said on Sunday.

 

The delegation plans to deliver the invitation to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, Ahmed Neetham al-Din told AFP without giving further details.

 

Syria has been slow to invite Saudi Arabia to the March 29-30 summit amid strained ties over the deep political crisis in Lebanon.

 

Syria and its ally Iran back Hizbullah.

 

Saudi Arabia, along with its Western allies, backs the rump cabinet of Prime Minister Fouad Saniora which has been unable to push through any of its legislative program since November 2006 when six pro-Syrian ministers quit.

 

The government accuses Damascus of blocking efforts to elect a new president in Lebanon, which was under Syrian military domination for 29 years until Damascus withdrew its troops in April 2005.