syriastew.com

Syria has finally accepted an invite to the Annapolis Mid-East Peace Conference, after learning that the Golan Heights could be on the agenda. The Assad regime is sending deputy Foreign Minster, Faisal Mekdad.

The LA Times reported that sending the deputy minister may be a nod to Syria’s ally Iran:

Sending Moqdad instead of the more senior foreign minister, Walid Moallem, may be a concession to Iran, said the analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity. But Moqdad, a seasoned Syrian diplomat, is considered a relative heavyweight within the Damascus’ political elite. Emad Mustapha, Syria’s well-connected envoy to Washington, will also attend the talks, the official in Damascus said.