Italy will soon send an ambassador to Syria, the country’s top diplomat said on Friday, in a boost for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his quest for international legitimacy as well as Italy's efforts to stop migration into Europe.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajan said Rome decided to appoint the ambassador to "turn a spotlight” on Syria, Reuters reported.

Italy’s special envoy to Syria, Stefano Ravagnan, will serve as ambassador and will arrive in the country soon, according to the news agency.

The Syrian government did not immediately comment on the news.