(CNN) The United Arab Emirates will reopen its embassy in Damascus seven years after withdrawing its diplomatic representation from Syria, the Emirati government said Thursday.

The embassy has been closed since 2011 when the Syrian civil war that has killed more than 400,000 people began.

An ambassador will not be posted immediately, an Emirati government source told CNN.

The move is intended to help restore relations between the two countries, the state-owned news agency WAM reported , citing a statement from the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

It added that "the UAE is looking forward to safety and security and stability" being restored in Syria.

The UAE said the embassy's reopening is intended to help restore relations with Syria.

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