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By Vladimir Soldatkin, Andrew Osborn and Suleiman Al-Khalidi
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa instructed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday he would honour all previous offers struck between his nation and Moscow, a pledge suggesting Moscow’s two predominant army bases in Syria are protected.
Sharaa, who as soon as headed the Syrian department of al Qaeda and who toppled predecessor Bashar al-Assad, a detailed Russian ally, late final yr, was talking at the beginning of Kremlin talks with Putin, his first go to to Russia since coming to energy.
“There are bilateral relations and shared pursuits that bind us with Russia, and we respect all agreements made with it. We’re engaged on redefining the character of relations with Russia,” Sharaa, who was talking in Arabic, instructed Putin.
Putin instructed him that Moscow was able to do all it might to behave on what he known as “many attention-grabbing and helpful beginnings” that had already been mentioned between the 2 sides when it got here to renewing relations.
The Kremlin chief additionally congratulated Sharaa on the truth that parliamentary elections have been held earlier this month in Syria.
“I imagine that this can be a nice success for you, as a result of it results in the consolidation of society, and even if Syria is at the moment going by way of troublesome instances, it is going to nonetheless strengthen ties and cooperation between all political forces in Syria,” mentioned Putin.
RUSSIAN MILITARY BASES
The Kremlin mentioned earlier than the talks that the destiny of Russia’s two predominant bases in Syria – the Hmeimim air base in Syria’s Latakia province, and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast – can be mentioned.
Russia, which has financial and energy-related pursuits in Syria that it additionally needs to safe, has a army presence at Qamishli airport – within the northeast close to the borders of Turkey and Iraq – as effectively.
Russian Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned on Monday that Moscow believed Damascus wished the army bases to remain and spoke about an concept of additionally utilizing them as logistics hubs to get assist to Africa by sea and air.
Syrian officers are in search of ensures that Russia won’t assist rearm remnants of Assad’s forces, a Syrian supply mentioned earlier than the talks. Sharaa is hoping that Russia may additionally assist rebuild the Syrian military, the identical supply mentioned.
SENSITIVE VISIT
Sharaa’s go to is delicate. Russia used its army muscle to again Assad for years in opposition to Syrian rebels who got here to energy in December final yr led by Sharaa. Moscow then granted asylum to Assad and his household once they fled the nation.
The Assads now dwell discreetly in Moscow, in response to Russian media.
Sharaa will use the talks to formally request that Moscow hand over Assad to face trial over alleged crimes in opposition to Syrians, two Syrian sources instructed Reuters.
Russia prides itself on with the ability to defend its international allies and isn’t more likely to agree handy over Assad to Damascus. Lavrov mentioned on Monday that Russia had given Assad refuge as a result of his life had been below menace.
Sharaa, who’s hoping to safe financial concessions from Russia, together with the resumption of wheat provides on beneficial phrases and compensation for battle injury, is predicted as effectively to press for Moscow’s backing to withstand Israeli calls for for a wider demilitarised zone in southern Syria.
He may increase the difficulty of redeploying Russian army police as a guarantor in opposition to additional Israeli encroachments, one of many two sources mentioned.
The Kremlin mentioned it didn’t count on Putin and Sharaa to carry a information convention after their talks.
(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Andrew Osborn in Moscow; Suleiman Al-Khalidi and by Ahmed Elimam and Tala Ramadan; writing by Andrew Osborn; modifying by Mark Heinrich)
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