Algeria’s Military Chief Arrives in Russia, Will Meet Shoigu 

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, July 31, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks at the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation during a videoconference with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces in Moscow, Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, July 31, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks at the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation during a videoconference with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces in Moscow, Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
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Algeria’s Military Chief Arrives in Russia, Will Meet Shoigu 

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, July 31, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks at the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation during a videoconference with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces in Moscow, Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, July 31, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks at the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation during a videoconference with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces in Moscow, Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

The chief of staff of Algeria's military has arrived in Russia and is due to meet Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the TASS news agency cited the Algerian embassy in Russia as saying on Tuesday.

It did not say what they would discuss.

Russia is interested in broadening military cooperation with non-Western countries as it faces a Ukrainian counter-offensive in the 17-month-old war.

Shoigu last week visited North Korea on what he said was a trip to strengthen defense ties, but the United States said was likely aimed at securing weapons supplies.



Syria’s Sharaa Congratulates Trump, Looks Forward to Improving Relations 

A handout picture released by Syria's transitional government shows the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa waiting for the arrival of Spain's foreign minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 16, 2025. (Syria's Transitional Government / AFP)
A handout picture released by Syria's transitional government shows the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa waiting for the arrival of Spain's foreign minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 16, 2025. (Syria's Transitional Government / AFP)
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Syria’s Sharaa Congratulates Trump, Looks Forward to Improving Relations 

A handout picture released by Syria's transitional government shows the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa waiting for the arrival of Spain's foreign minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 16, 2025. (Syria's Transitional Government / AFP)
A handout picture released by Syria's transitional government shows the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa waiting for the arrival of Spain's foreign minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 16, 2025. (Syria's Transitional Government / AFP)

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa congratulated US President Donald Trump on his inauguration in a statement on Monday, saying he is looking forward to improving relations between the two countries.

"The past decade has brought immense suffering to Syria, with the conflict devastating our nation and destabilizing the region. We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region".

The US, Britain, the European Union and others imposed tough sanctions on Syria after a crackdown by ousted President Bashar al-Assad on pro-democracy protests in 2011 that spiraled into civil war.

In early January, Washington issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months in an effort to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance.

Syria welcomed the move, but has urged a complete lifting of sanctions to support its recovery.