Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is set to visit Damascus on Tuesday, marking the first visit by a Saudi official to Syria since the start of the country's conflict in 2011.

The move is seen as a significant step towards ending Syria's isolation in the region over its response to protests against President Bashar al-Assad.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states had backed rebel groups fighting to oust Assad from power, while Syria's membership in the Arab League was suspended.

However, Saudi Arabia has recently indicated that isolating Assad was not working. The visit is expected to pave the way for the resumption of diplomatic ties and an invitation for Assad to attend the Arab League summit in Riyadh on May 19.