Riyadh announced that the Saudi and Syrian foreign ministers discussed "steps" to end Damascus' isolation during the Syrian diplomat's visit to the kingdom, the first since the beginning of the conflict in Syria in 2011.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two ministers , Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Faisal Al-Miqdad , discussed "the necessary steps to achieve a comprehensive political settlement to the Syrian crisis that ends all its repercussions, achieves national reconciliation, and contributes to Syria's return to its Arab surroundings and the resumption of its natural role in the Arab world."

They also welcomed the start of procedures for resuming consular services and flights, stressing "the importance of enhancing security and combating terrorism in all its forms and organizations, and strengthening cooperation in combating drug smuggling and trafficking."

They also stressed "the need to support the Syrian state's institutions to extend their control over its lands to end the presence of armed militias and external interference in Syrian internal affairs."

Following the outbreak of the conflict in 2011, several Arab countries, led by Saudi Arabia, severed diplomatic relations with Damascus, and the League of Arab States suspended Syria's membership.

Saudi Arabia, which closed its embassy in Damascus in March 2012, during the first years of the conflict, provided support to the Syrian opposition, and received figures from it on its soil.

On Friday, a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries will be held in Jeddah, in which Jordan, Egypt and Iraq will also participate, to discuss Syria's return to the Arab League after its membership was suspended since 2012 and about a month before the Arab summit in Saudi Arabia.