Putin Sends Message to Jeddah Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Human Rights ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Human Rights ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP)
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Putin Sends Message to Jeddah Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Human Rights ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Human Rights ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed on Friday that Moscow was keen on developing friendly relations with Arab countries in order to effectively confront challenges and threats.

In a cable to leaders at the Arab League summit in Jeddah, he stressed that Russia traditionally places “great importance on developing friendly ties and constructive cooperation with the nations of the Middle East and North Africa” in order to respond to threats and challenges facing modern humanity.

“We are determined to continue to support collective efforts to achieve peaceful solutions to severe regional issues, including the crises in Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Syria, while firmly respecting the sovereignty of nations and international law,” he added.

Moreover, Putin said Russia will continue to provide “all possible help to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.”



Syrian Foreign Minister in Doha to Meet Senior Qatari Officials

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (not pictured), after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. (Reuters)
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (not pictured), after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. (Reuters)
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Syrian Foreign Minister in Doha to Meet Senior Qatari Officials

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (not pictured), after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. (Reuters)
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (not pictured), after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. (Reuters)

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, appointed by the country's new rulers, arrived in Qatar on Sunday to meet senior Qatari officials, a Qatari official told Reuters.

The officials include Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Khulaifi.

Syrian official news agency SANA confirmed the arrival of the Syrian delegation, which includes the country's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and head of intelligence Anas Khattab.

The Syrian minister's visit to Qatar is his second foreign trip less than a month since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition fighters on Dec. 8.

Al-Shibani is expected to also visit the United Arab Emirates and Jordan this week to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships," according to his account on X.

He embarked on his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria's political transition.