Syria’s interim leader arrives in Russia for first visit

Syria’s interim leader is visiting Russia (Pavel Bednyakov/AP)

Syria’s interim leader, who led a swift rebel offensive last year that ousted former Syrian president Bashar Assad despite years of Moscow’s support, has arrived in Russia on his first visit.

Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa is set to hold talks in the Kremlin with Russian President Vladimir Putin to “discuss the current condition and prospects for the development of Russian-Syrian ties in the trade and economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East”, the Kremlin said.