Saudi Arabia is planning to invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to an Arab League summit that Riyadh is hosting in May, three sources familiar with the plans said as reported by Reuters.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will travel to Damascus in coming weeks to hand Assad a formal invitation to attend the summit scheduled for May 19, two of the sources said.

Gamal Roshdy, spokesperson for the Arab League secretary general, said the organization is not privy to every move on the bilateral level between Arab countries.

“We are not supposed to be informed in advance about the assumed visit,” he added.

The Saudi government’s communication office and the foreign ministries of both countries did not respond to requests for comments, according to Reuters.

Assad’s attendance at an Arab League summit would mark the most significant development that reflects a change in the regional approach towards Damascus which was suspended from the 22-member body following the start of the foreign-backed Syrian war.

Source: Agencies