LONDON: Syrian and Russian officials met on Tuesday at the Tishreen Palace to discuss energy, defence and how to strengthen ties with the new leadership in Damascus following the ousting of former president Bashar Assad, Moscow’s longstanding ally. The Russian delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who is the key figure for energy issues under President Vladimir Putin. Novak met with Asaad Al-Shaibani, Syria’s minister of foreign affairs and expatriates, who chaired the meeting attended by several Syrian and Russian ministers.

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister noted that Russia and Syria are bound by ties of friendship and partnership based on mutual respect

LONDON: Syrian and Russian officials met on Tuesday at the Tishreen Palace to discuss energy, defence and how to strengthen ties with the new leadership in Damascus following the…