Syra's Assad calls on Arab leaders to jointly develop strategy to face challenges

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on May 19 urged Arab leaders to develop a joint strategy to address the challenges their countries face and counter outside interference.

"This summit marks the beginning of a new stage of joint Arab action in the name of achieving peace, development and prosperity in our region instead of war and destruction," he said, speaking at the opening of the Arab League (LAS) summit in the Saudi city of Jeddah, TASS reports.

According to the Syrian leader, "the Arabs now have a unique chance to change the situation for the better by discussing the creation of an effective mechanism for responding to crises in a troubled world."

Assad thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud "for the enormous role the kingdom is playing in promoting reconciliation and national reconciliation."

For the first time since 2010, the President of Syria participates in the summit of the Arab states after the decision was made by the Arab League Council in Cairo on May 7 to return Syria to its place in the regional community.