Syria’s Sharaa tells Putin at Kremlin assembly he’ll respect all previous offers with Moscow

[ad_1] By Vladimir Soldatkin, Andrew Osborn and Suleiman Al-Khalidi

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa informed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday he would honour all previous offers struck between his nation and Moscow, a pledge suggesting Moscow's two primary army bases in Syria are secure.

Sharaa, who as soon as headed the Syrian department of al Qaeda and who toppled predecessor Bashar al-Assad, an in depth Russian ally, late final 12 months, was talking in the beginning of Kremlin talks with Putin, his first go to to Russia since coming to energy.

"There are bilateral relations and shared pursuits that bind us with Russia, and we respect all agreements made with it. We're engaged on redefining the character of relations with Russia," Sharaa, who was talking in Arabic, informed Putin.

Putin informed him that Moscow was able to do all it may to behave on what he referred to as "many attention-grabbing and helpful beginnings" that had already been mentioned between the 2 sides when it got here to renewing relations.

The Kremlin chief additionally congratulated Sharaa on the truth that parliamentary elections had been held earlier this month in Syria.

"I consider that it is a nice success for you, as a result of it results in the consolidation of society, and although Syria is at present going by tough instances, it'll however strengthen ties and cooperation between all political forces in Syria," stated Putin.

RUSSIAN MILITARY BASES

The Kremlin stated earlier than the talks that the destiny of Russia's two primary bases in Syria - the Hmeimim air base in Syria's Latakia province, and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast - can be mentioned.

Russia, which has financial and energy-related pursuits in Syria that it additionally desires to safe, has a army presence at Qamishli airport - within the northeast close to the borders of Turkey and Iraq - as properly.

Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Monday that Moscow believed Damascus needed the army bases to remain and spoke about an thought of additionally utilizing them as logistics hubs to get help to Africa by sea and air.

Syrian officers are in search of ensures that Russia is not going to assist rearm remnants of Assad’s forces, a Syrian supply stated earlier than the talks. Sharaa is hoping that Russia may additionally assist rebuild the Syrian military, the identical supply stated.

SENSITIVE VISIT

Sharaa's go to is delicate. Russia used its army muscle to again Assad for years in opposition to Syrian rebels who got here to energy in December final 12 months led by Sharaa. Moscow then granted asylum to Assad and his household after they fled the nation.

The Assads now stay discreetly in Moscow, in accordance with Russian media.

Sharaa will use the talks to formally request that Moscow hand over Assad to face trial over alleged crimes in opposition to Syrians, two Syrian sources informed Reuters.

Russia prides itself on having the ability to defend its international allies and isn't prone to agree handy over Assad to Damascus. Lavrov stated on Monday that Russia had given Assad refuge as a result of his life had been beneath risk.

Sharaa, who's hoping to safe financial concessions from Russia, together with the resumption of wheat provides on beneficial phrases and compensation for conflict harm, is predicted as properly to press for Moscow’s backing to withstand Israeli calls for for a wider demilitarised zone in southern Syria.

He may additionally increase the difficulty of redeploying Russian army police as a guarantor in opposition to additional Israeli encroachments, one of many two sources stated.

The Kremlin stated it didn't count on Putin and Sharaa to carry a information convention after their talks.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Andrew Osborn in Moscow; Suleiman Al-Khalidi and by Ahmed Elimam and Tala Ramadan; writing by Andrew Osborn; modifying by Mark Heinrich)