Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said on Wednesday that there are no differences with Arab countries on issues related to Syria, and pointed out that all the drafts and laws presented at the preparatory meeting for the Arab summit reflect Damascus' point of view.
Mekdad's speech – which was carried by the Syrian news agency (SANA) – came in a press statement after his participation in the preparatory meeting for the Arab summit in the Saudi city of Jeddah to be held on May 19.
"We work together with our Arab brothers, and all Arabs welcome the Syrian role, and there are no differences on issues related to Syria," the agency quoted Mekdad as saying.
"All the projects and laws presented during the meeting reflected our views to overcome the crisis and respect the role played by Syria at the regional and international levels," he said.
On May 12, the Arab League announced the return of Damascus to its seat after a freeze of nearly <> years against the backdrop of the suppression of popular movements by military force.
In the statement they issued on this date, the Arab foreign ministers stressed keenness to launch a leading Arab role in efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis and its repercussions, including the refugee crises, drug trafficking and the "threat of terrorism."
The meeting decided to form a ministerial committee to continue "direct dialogue with the Syrian government to reach a comprehensive solution to the Syrian crisis."
The refugee crisis was attended by Mekdad in side talks with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib. Mekdad said, according to statements carried by the Syrian News Agency, "We stressed that Syrian refugees must return to their homeland, and this return needs possibilities."
Some 5.5 million registered Syrian refugees live in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, according to the United Nations.
On Monday, Mekdad arrived, heading a delegation at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, to participate in the preparatory meetings for the Arab summit.
On Wednesday, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit welcomed Mekdad's return to the Arab League at the start of the preparatory meeting of Arab foreign ministers.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will participate on Friday in the Arab summit to be held in Jeddah for the first time since 2010, after diplomatic efforts led to the return of Damascus to its Arab surroundings after more than 11 years of isolation.