Syrian President Bashar Al Assad was hopeful his return marks a new phase of peace and prosperity in the region.
Mr Assad, who received a warm welcome in Jeddah, also voiced hope, in his first summit speech since 2011, for a new era of Arab co-operation.
Assad’s return to the group without any preconditions on future treatment of millions of Syrians displaced by civil war marks a turning point in the Middle East.
“I hope that it marks the beginning of a new phase of Arab action for solidarity among us, for peace in our region, development and prosperity instead of war and destruction,” Mr Assad told the summit.
Arab countries, he said, had to take the opportunity to shape their own destiny free of foreign interference.
Mr Assad’s arrival was marked in the streets of Jeddah, where the Syrian flag was displayed prominently.
&uuid=(email))