Region has vital role in Syria's peace process as Arab League readmits Damascus: UN chief

By Betul Yuruk

UNITED NATIONS (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed hope Monday that intensified regional engagement on the Syrian conflict can help unlock progress to move forward the UN-facilitated political process.

Arab nations agreed on Sunday to reinstate Syria’s membership in the Arab League after 12 years of suspension as ties with Damascus are being normalized.

UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters that they were aware of the Arab League's decision.

Guterres “believes that the region has a vital role to play in the search for settlement of the conflict,” said Haq.

Syria was removed from the Arab League after the Assad regime's brutal crackdown on protesters in March 201 spiraled the country into a civil war.

Hundreds of thousands of people were killed and millions were displaced in Syria's more than 12-year-old war.