Spain Reopens its Embassy in Damascus after 13 Years

damascus, syria - Spain has reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, after 13 years of closure following the fall of the Assad regime.

Spain has reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, after 13 years of closure. The decision comes following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares visited the country for the first official visit and raised the Spanish flag at the embassy. During his speech at the embassy where the Spanish national anthem was played, Minister Albares expressed his honor to be present there.

"Raising the Spanish flag again is a sign of our hope for Syria's future and our determination to ensure a better future for the Syrian people," Albares said.

As part of his visit to Damascus, Foreign Minister Albares will meet with representatives of the new Syrian government and civil society organizations.

Spain had closed its embassy in Damascus in March 2012, following the violent crackdown by the Bashar al-Assad regime on peaceful protesters in 2011.