Russia's top diplomat has met with Syria's new foreign minister for talks in Moscow during the first formal visit by a Syrian official since President Bashar Assad was ousted last year despite years o

Shaibani thanks Moscow for denouncing Israeli strikes on Syria, hopes for warm ties despite Putin's backing for former dictator; Lavrov invites Sharaa to summit with Arab League

Despite having been on opposite sides of the battle lines during the civil war, the new rulers in Damascus, headed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharra, have taken a pragmatic approach to relations with Moscow.