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Kremlin Says It Is in Contact with Syrian Authorities over Quake Relief

A White Helmet volunteer stands among rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Harem, Idlib, Syria February 10, 2023. (White Helmets/Handout via Reuters)
A White Helmet volunteer stands among rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Harem, Idlib, Syria February 10, 2023. (White Helmets/Handout via Reuters)
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Kremlin Says It Is in Contact with Syrian Authorities over Quake Relief

A White Helmet volunteer stands among rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Harem, Idlib, Syria February 10, 2023. (White Helmets/Handout via Reuters)
A White Helmet volunteer stands among rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Harem, Idlib, Syria February 10, 2023. (White Helmets/Handout via Reuters)

The Kremlin said on Monday that it was in contact with Syrian authorities over providing relief to areas affected by last week's earthquake and that it was finding ways to continue supplying humanitarian aid there.

At least 34,000 people have died since a major earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria last week.

Aid efforts in northwest Syria, where more than 4,300 have been reported killed, have been complicated by disputes between opposition-controlled authorities in the region and the Russian-backed government of President Bashar al-Assad.

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Macron in Lebanon to Push Sovereignty, Reforms amid New Hope

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
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Macron in Lebanon to Push Sovereignty, Reforms amid New Hope

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lebanon on Friday for the first time since 2020 to help speed up the formation of a government that can quickly implement reforms and open the door to reconstruction.

Since a truce brokered by France and the United States in November between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, Paris has played a key role in helping break Lebanon's political deadlock, that has now led to a new president and prime minister.
As a former French protectorate, Beirut has strong historical ties with Paris, but the relationship has been complicated in recent years. Macron expended a great deal of political capital in 2020 in a failed effort to convince Lebanese actors to back political and financial reforms after the Beirut port explosion that killed more than 200 people and destroyed entire neighborhoods, Reuters said.
"In three months, we have helped Lebanon move from escalation to recovery, and to open a new page of hope," France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in parliament during a debate on French Middle East policy.
"With popular support, a broad internal consensus and international backing, the new Lebanese executive can act decisively to restore state sovereignty and rebuild Lebanon."
A French presidency source briefing reporters ahead of the trip said the objective was to underscore the importance of Lebanon's sovereignty, help it towards structural economic reforms that would restore international confidence and ensure there is a united government able to push change.

Macron also spoke to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of the visit.