EU says it’s premature for Syria to rejoin Arab League
Egypt's efforts to bring Syria back into the Arab League while the country remains unstable are raising concerns in the EU.
CAIRO — Despite a warning from the EU that Egypt shouldn't help Syria get readmitted to the Arab League, the top security chiefs from both countries met for rare talks two days later in Cairo.
Syria's news agency, SANA, reported that the head of the Syrian National Security Bureau, Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk, visited Cairo Dec. 22 at the invitation of Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. The men met to discuss common political and security concerns. Mamlouk apparently hadn't visited Cairo on state business since October 2016.
This recent meeting came just two days after the EU urged Egypt not to play any role that would bring Syria back to the Arab League. The warning came in the EU's position statement for the EU-Egypt Association Council in Brussels.
“In consideration of Cairo's active role within the [Arab League], the EU seizes the opportunity to reiterate that now is neither the time to normalize relations with Syria, nor to reintegrate Syria into international bodies," the statement read.
