Syrian Foreign Ministry: Summoning the ambassadors of Russia and Saudi Arabia and reorganizing foreign missions.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced late on Monday, April 7th, the recall of the country's ambassadors to the Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia, Bashar al-Jaafari and Ayman Sousan, to the central administration in Damascus.

The decision, issued by Minister Asaad al-Shibani, is part of a series of new diplomatic changes, with chargés d'affaires temporarily assuming the embassies' duties until successors are appointed by the President.

According to a senior source at the Foreign Ministry, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), this move is part of a restructuring movement involving Syrian embassies in several capitals, responding to popular demands for appointing new diplomats with experience, efficiency, and post-previous regime affiliations.

Ayman Sousan was appointed as Syria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia in December 2023, as the first diplomatic representative from Damascus to Riyadh after the resumption of bilateral relations. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Foreign Minister and represented Syria to the European Union until 2012. After the fall of the Assad regime, Sousan sparked controversy with statements accusing the former president of leading a drug trafficking network, affirming the legitimacy of the Syrian revolution.

As for Bashar al-Jaafari, he assumed the position of ambassador in Moscow in 2022, after serving as Deputy Foreign Minister and Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations. He gained attention for his prominent role in defending the previous regime's policies internationally, before later criticizing what he described as the "corruption system" that governed the country, calling for national reconciliation.

The recall decision coincided with reports of a change in the legal status of the Syrian mission at the United Nations, as Washington amended its classification from "mission of a member state" to "mission of an unrecognized government." However, a source at the Syrian Foreign Ministry clarified that this was a "purely administrative" measure and does not reflect a change in the stance towards the current government, emphasizing that the ministry is working to resolve any confusion and coordinate positions with international entities.

The source added that there is a comprehensive review of the status of Syrian diplomatic missions abroad, and new measures will soon be announced to enhance their efficiency and political representation, meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people and reflecting the directions of the upcoming phase.