Assad and Shoigu Meet in Damascus, Discuss Security Issues

File photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Sergei Shoigu. EPA
File photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Sergei Shoigu. EPA
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Assad and Shoigu Meet in Damascus, Discuss Security Issues

File photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Sergei Shoigu. EPA
File photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Sergei Shoigu. EPA

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with visiting Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu on Monday and discussed with him strengthening bilateral relations, as well as international and regional security, the Syrian presidency announced.

"Assad received Shoigu and discussed with him a number of issues of international and national security, as well as bilateral relations between Syria and Russia and prospects for strengthening them in order to serve the interests of both countries," it said in a statement.

This was Shoigu’s first visit to Damascus since his appointment as Security Council Secretary in May. He had visited the Syrian capital on several occasions as Russian Defense Minister, the last of which was in February.

According to observers in Damascus, Shoigu’s meeting with Assad comes as part of Russian efforts to organize meetings between Syrian and Turkish officials to improve relations.



Israeli Airstrike Targets Senior Hezbollah Figure in Beirut

People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
TT

Israeli Airstrike Targets Senior Hezbollah Figure in Beirut

People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Scores were killed and injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted at least one senior Hezbollah figure in central Beirut on Thursday, security sources said.
A large fire blazed in the background as rescue workers used hand torches to search through the rubble for survivors.

It was not clear who the Hezbollah targets were. The neighborhood was not previously hit by Israel.
A thick column of smoke rose above central Beirut after what appeared to be Israel's latest major aerial attack in a widening offensive against Hezbollah.

"The Israeli enemy launched a strike in Beirut, targeting a building near the Khatam al-Anbiya complex in Nuwayri, with another strike targeting the Ras al-Nabaa area near the al-Amiliyah building," the National News Agency said.

At least 11 people were killed and 48 injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli attacks, Lebanon's health ministry said in a statement.