DAMASCUS - The embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Syrian capital Damascus will reopen Thursday for the first time in seven years.

The Syrian Information Ministry has sent invitation for journalists to cover the opening ceremony on Thursday afternoon.

It's not yet clear whether it's a reopening with a full diplomatic representation or a partial one.

Local reports said that some maintenance work was carried out inside the embassy ahead of its opening.

In his recent remarks, Syria's deputy foreign minister said "we welcome any step for the return of all Arab embassies to Syria".

All Gulf states had closed their embassies in Damascus after the Syrian crisis erupted in 2011.