Syria, Tunisia move to restore their diplomatic relations

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisian President Kais Saied has met with Syria’s chief diplomat and says his country wants to boost bilateral cooperation and preserve “historical ties of brotherhood” with Damascus. The official TAP news agency reported Tuesday’s meeting. Diplomatic relations between Syria and Tunisia have been cut since 2012 during the civil war that followed President Bashar Assad’s brutal crackdown on mass protests against his rule. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad’s visit is meant to restore bilateral relations, the Tunisian Department of Foreign Affairs said. President Saied earlier this month ordered the appointment of an ambassador to Syrian capital Damascus.