Syria’s Assad in surprise visit to Moscow

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad flew into Moscow on Tuesday for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in what is believed to be his first trip abroad since start of the war in 2011.

The leaders discussed their joint military campaign against rebels in Syria, a Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday.

“Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters; “The president of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad came on a working visit to Moscow yesterday evening and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”

At the meeting Putin said he was hopeful that a solution may be reached for the war in Syria, where Russia has been carrying out air strikes since the end of September.

“This decision can be made only by the Syrian people. Syria is a friendly country. And we are ready to support it not only militarily but politically as well.””We assume that a long-term solution may be reached on the basis of the latest military developments and political process with participation from all political, ethnic and religious groups,” Putin said.

The Syrian presidency confirmed that Assad was in Moscow for a one-day visit and said he had already returned to Damascus.

Al Jazeera