Putin meets Syrian FM in Moscow, Sharaa invited to Russia-Arab summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Syria's foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani in Moscow on Thursday, the first visit by a top official from Syria's new government since the toppling of longtime Russian ally Bashar al-Assad in December.

Lavrov said Moscow would like Syria's new President Ahmed al-Sharaa to attend a summit between Russia and Arab League member states in Moscow in October.

"Of course, we hope that President al-Sharaa will be able to take part in the first Russia-Arab League summit, which is scheduled for October 15," Lavrov said.

Sharaa, who once headed the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda, led rebels into Damascus in December and installed a new government. Assad fled the capital and was granted asylum in Russia.

Moscow has since attempted to preserve ties with Syria's new authorities, including offering Damascus diplomatic support over Israeli strikes on Syrian territory.

Putin received Shibani and his accompanying delegation at the Kremlin, Syria's state news agency SANA reported without providing further details on the meeting.

At a joint news conference, Shibani said his trip to Moscow was intended "to start a necessary discussion ... based on the lessons of the past, to formulate the future".

He said he had agreed with Lavrov on establishing two committees tasked with re-evaluating past agreements between Syria and Russia.

"There are many opportunities for a united strong Syria, we hope Russia stands with us on this pathway," Shibani said.

Lavrov thanked Syrian authorities for ensuring the security of two Russian bases in the country, where Moscow continues to maintain a presence, as well as backing the removal of sanctions on Syria.

In May, the Russian foreign minister warned of "ethnic cleansing" of Syrian religious minorities by "radical militant groups".