Visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani emphasized the "urgent need" to form an inclusive Syrian government during a meeting Thursday with the country's new interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Qatari royal court said.
The emir's trip to Damascus -- the first by a head of state since the opposition toppled president Bashar al-Assad less than two months ago -- comes a day after Sharaa was appointed interim president for an unspecified transitional period.
It also follows a visit by Qatar's prime minister this month.
The emir "stressed the urgent need to form a government representing all spectrums" of Syrian society in order "to consolidate stability and move forward with reconstruction, development and prosperity projects,” the royal court statement said, congratulating Sharaa on his appointment.
Syria's new authorities on Wednesday said Sharaa had also been tasked with forming a transitional legislature. They announced the dissolution of all armed groups involved in Assad's overthrow, as well as the former government's army.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said discussions with the Qatari delegation included reconstruction in the country devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war.
"We discussed a comprehensive framework for bilateral cooperation concerning reconstruction," Shibani said during a press conference with Qatari Minister of State at the foreign ministry, Mohammed al-Khulaifi.
He said their talks covered "vital sectors including infrastructure... investment and banking services, paving the way for economic recovery, health and education.”
