BEIRUT (AP) — Syria says the United Arab Emirates will reopen its embassy in Damascus for the first time in seven years.

The Information Ministry gave no further details other than inviting journalists to cover the event at the embassy in central Damascus later Thursday.

The UAE recalled its ambassador from Syria in 2011 after the start of the popular uprising against President Bashar Assad. The Syrian Embassy in the UAE remained open.

The reopening of the embassy comes after the Dec. 16 visit to Damascus by Sudan's President Omar Bashir, who became the first Arab head of state to visit Syria since the civil war began.

Syria was expelled from the 22-member Arab League in 2011. Arab countries have sanctioned Damascus and condemned its use of military force against the opposition.