LOC19:41
16:41 GMT
MOSCOW, Jan 28 (KUNA) -- Syria's Transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa on Wednesday underlined the significance of the Russian role in ensuring his country's stability and territorial integrity.
Al-Sharaa made the remarks when he was welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kremlin on the sidelines of his official visit to Moscow, according to Russian local media reports.
He also thanked the Russian president for the efforts exerted by Moscow in this regard, saying that Damascus and Moscow share joint issues and matters that require deep discussions, primarily stabilization in Syria and the region.
The Syrian president added that Moscow has played a significant and historic role in helping Syria overcome several challenges pertinent to imposing control over all Syrian lands.
For his part, the Russian president stressed that his country has recently exerted great efforts to develop bilateral relations between Moscow and Damascus.
Putin reiterated his country's support for the current Syrian leadership's endeavors during this transitional period to restore their country's unity and strengthen its stability.
Earlier in the day, the Kremlin said that Russian-Syrian relations are developing actively on various levels, amid ongoing political contacts between the two countries' leaderships and discussions on issues of mutual interest. (pickup previous)
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