Damascus, Asharq Al-Awsat- Informed Syrian sources have revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday [11 March].

The Syrian president received last Wednesday an invitation from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin-Abdulaziz to visit Saudi Arabia. The invitation was delivered by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal during his visit to Damascus. Informed sources said Al-Assad’s visit to Riyadh aims to clear the Arab atmosphere before the Arab summit that is due to be held in Doha on 30 March.

Qatar announced yesterday that a mini Arab summit would be held before the Arab summit’s date. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin-Jasim Al Thani, told correspondents in Doha “there is a mini summit and Qatar will take part in it”. But he did not specify the mini summit’s venue and date.