Putin welcomes new Syrian head of state, Moscow seeks closer ties with Damascus

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday and declared Moscow's willingness to strengthen relations with Damascus.

The meeting in the Kremlin was also the new Syrian head of state's first official visit to Russia since taking office.

Al-Shara took power at the end of last year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, a long-time ally of the Kremlin. Putin congratulated him on the recent parliamentary elections in Syria and expressed hope for closer bilateral relations.

(reuters, lup)