A Bahraini delegation led by Ahmad bin Abdulaziz al-Khalifa, head of the country's National Security Agency (NSA), met with defacto Syrian ruler Ahmad al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in Damascus on December 28, a Syrian state press release reported.

During the meeting, al-Khalifa delivered a letter from Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa that strongly endorsed Syria's diplomatic initiatives and sovereignty, according to official sources.

The king's letter, released earlier to the media, praised Syria's recent engagement with Damascus-based foreign ambassadors as a "wise policy" that reflects commitment to "preserving Syria's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and achieving the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people."

As the current chair of the Arab Summit, Bahrain pledged "full readiness for continuous consultation" and support through regional and international organisations. The monarch specifically expressed hope for Syria to restore "its original role in the Arab League."

Bahrain was among the first Gulf states to restore diplomatic ties with Damascus, reopening its embassy there in 2018 after years of severed relations during the Syrian civil war.

The latest high-level visit signals growing momentum among Arab states to bring Syria back into the regional fold, diplomatic sources say.

The meeting comes as several Arab countries have taken steps to normalise relations with Damascus.

Earlier on December 23, Qatari officials visited the Syrian capital to meet with al-Sharaa as part of the regional outreach efforts.

Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, Qatar's Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who lead the delegation for discussions with al-Sharaa, who assumed de facto authority in Damascus following former President Bashar al-Assad's departure on December 8.