Assad attends regional summit as Syria is welcomed back into Arab fold

Syrian president Bashar Assad, right, is accompanied by Prince Badr Bin Sultan, deputy governor of Mecca, upon his arrival at Jeddah airport, Saudi Arabia (Saudi Press Agency via AP)

Syrian president Bashar Assad arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to attend a regional summit, his first visit to the oil-rich kingdom since Syria’s conflict began in 2011, Syrian state media said.

Mr Assad’s attendance at the Arab League summit, which starts on Friday, is expected to seal Syria’s return to the Arab fold following a 12-year suspension and open a new chapter of relations after more than a decade of tensions.