Assad to Putin: Thanks for ‘saving our country’

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad thanked his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for « saving » his country and for Russia’s give a rob to in Syria.

The two heads of explain met for talks within the Russian Gloomy Sea resort of Sochi on Monday, the Kremlin acknowledged in a observation on Tuesday.

They mentioned the battle in opposition to « terrorism » and the potentialities for a political settlement in Syria, which has entered its seventh twelve months of battle. The observation added that Assad had expressed his readiness to care for up discussions with events drawn to resolving the struggle.

In response, Putin commended Assad’s cooperation.

In accordance with the RIA news company, which cited Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the assembly lasted for about four hours.

The visit turned into believed to be only the 2nd time Assad departed Syria for the explanation that battle broke out in 2011.

In October 2015, a month after Russia began its campaign in Syria, Assad and Putin convened in Moscow.

Russia, the Syrian executive’s main ally within the battle, has been supporting executive forces in opposition to what has turn into a proxy battle within the placement.

Final month, a quantity of factions, including the Syrian executive and opposition teams, met in Kazakhstan’s capital for talks aimed in the direction of implementing a lasting ceasefire settlement.

Loads of international initiatives to entire the battle enjoy commenced over time, including an strive at organising four « de-escalation zones » in the end of the country, with Russia, Turkey and Iran appearing as guarantors.

Up to now, some 465,000 other folks enjoy died within the struggle, and more than 12 million Syrians were displaced.

SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies