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A top Syrian diplomat said Damascus wanted “our side” in its first visit to Russia by members of the new government, as Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebels late last year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Sabani in the Kremlin on Thursday, according to Syrian news agency Sana.
Before discussions with Putin, Al Shabani met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Sergei Lavrov emphasized that Russian authorities “we sincerely hope that Syrians, who have long-standing friendships, will overcome all existing challenges and fully normalize the situation.”
“The current period is full of challenges and threats, but it is also an opportunity to build a united, powerful Syria,” said Al Shabani.
Al Assad is a Russian ally, and Moscow’s charred earth intervention, which supported him a decade ago, changed the tide of the Syrian civil war, leaving Al Assad in his seat until his quick end in December.
Russia focused on fighting in Ukraine, maintaining only small military forces in Syria, but did not attempt to counter the rebels, but protected al-Assad after he fled the country.
Without naming al-Assad, al-Shabani called on Russia to support the country’s “interim justice” process, saying that Syria has established a committee to consider past agreements with Russia.
Despite being on the other side of the front during the Civil War, the new ruler of Damascus, led by interim president Ahmed al-Shara, has taken a practical approach to his relationship with Moscow.
A Russian delegation visited Damascus in January, and the following month, Putin called it Alshara, whom the Kremlin described as “constructive and business-like.”
Russia has retained its presence in the air and naval bases on Syrian coasts, and the Kremlin has expressed its desire to negotiate a deal to maintain the front post base.
Moscow also reportedly sent oil cargo to Syria.
Syrian Defense Minister Murkhav Abu Kasra accompanied Al Shabani on his visit to meet his Russian counter Andrei Belusov.
They discussed “cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and the Middle East situation,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said.
Speaking to reporters after Thursday’s consultation, Lavrov thanked his Syrian colleagues for the measures they are taking to ensure the safety of Russian citizens in Syria and their facilities.
“We are ready to reaffirm our support for unity, territorial integrity and preservation of independence in the Syrian Arab Republic, and provide all possible support for post-conflict reconstruction to the Syrian people. We have agreed to continue our dialogue on these issues,” Lavrov said.
Alshara thanked Russia for its “strong position that it has refused to repeatedly violate Israel’s strikes and Syrian sovereignty” after Israel intervened in a clash between Syrian government forces and armed groups from the Druze minority earlier this month.
Al-Shabani criticized Israel’s “interference in domestic affairs” on Thursday, saying it complicates efforts to resolve conflicts between different Syrian communities.
Additional sources •AP
