Last December, the League of Arab States said that it could look into reinstating Syria's membership in 2019. And on Wednesday, Arab foreign ministers held their first meeting of the year. But Syria's membership was not discussed or voted on. Here is CGTN's Adel El Mahrouky with more.

Arab foreign ministers have gathered in Cairo for their a regular meeting this year. Among the postponed topic from 2018 was a discussion on Syria's membership. Since the war broke in Syria, this pan Arab organization has frozen its membership in 2011, leaving its seat empty for years.

SAMEH SHOUKRY EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER "The bloodshed and waste of resources in the region is no longer accepted. It is time for serious negotiations that lead to a political solution in Syria. One which satisfies the legitimate demands of the Syrian people, to restore the state's institutions, to enable to fight terrorism, and bring back Syria to historic position and role in the region and among Arab brothers."

The Arab league has not yet put the reinstatement of Syria's seat to a vote among its member states. Few days before this meeting, Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Adel EL Jubair, said it is still too early to restore ties with Damascus. With that recent announcement experts doubt that Syria's empty seats here would soon be occupied with a representative.

HALA SHEHA ARAB AFFAIRS ANALYST "There are movements among the league's members to bring back Syria. Iraq was quite vocal in this meeting clearly asking to bring Syria's membership in the Arab League, and so did Algeria. Tunisia seems to be using its good ties to push for that. Saudi Saying it's important but it's not enough. The Arab league needs consensus among its members so that Syria may once again return."

Libya has led the talks on Wednesday's meeting. Arabs say they support the UN-backed political solution. They all hope that after many delays, the general elections could finally take place this year. Meanwhile, the League's secretary general has urged member states to bring back their focus on the Palestinian Crisis.

AHMED ABOUL GHEIT, SECRETARY-GENERAL LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES "The regional crisis has taken the attention of Arabs from the most dangerous conflict, there is the Palestinian conflict. Every day passes more pressure and further oppression is practiced against the Palestinian people. Unfortunately, these measures have stalled the peace process, waiting for an American peace plan, we haven't seen anything from it except US escalations against the Palestinians."

ADEL EL MAHROUKY CAIRO, EGYPT "The main purpose of this meeting has been to finalize the agenda of the Arab summit. Later this month Arab Heads of States will meet for their annual meeting, this year in Tunisia. And the hopes of the Arab World will follow, as people still wait to see this organization become more effective in resolving regional conflicts. Adel EL Mahrouky, CGTN, CA."