After twelve years of isolation, the Arab League has given Syria permission to rejoin the fold, under certain conditions, the National reports. An Egyptian diplomat who spoke to The National on condition of anonymity said that the decision was made by Arab foreign ministers during an emergency meeting in Cairo on Sunday, May 7. When asked what the conditions for a complete return may be, the diplomat responded that they included the safe return of Syrian refugees, a viable political process that results in elections, and measures to stop the smuggling of drugs out of Syria into nearby nations. The news was also revealed by state outlet Ahram Online. Gamal Roshdy, the spokesman for the Arab League, also told Ahram Online that the permanent representatives’ meeting on Saturday had made it clear that there were no longer any concerns about Syria being part of the Arab League. Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011 over its failure to end its ongoing crackdown against civilians and failure to implement terms of a peace deal to stop its internal crisis. The suspension was described as the last chance for President…
