This is president Assad's first overseas trip since civil war broke out in Syria in 2011. Mr Assad in a visit to Moscow made a point of expressing his gratitude for Russia's military intervention in the conflict. He said Russia's involvement had stopped "terrorism" becoming "more widespread and harmful" in Syria.
Russia's president and also the most powerful man in the world, Vladimir Putin said Moscow's hope was that a "long-term resolution can be achieved on the basis of a political process with the participation of all political forces, ethnic and religious groups". President Vladimir Putin sends a very clear message to the West - that Moscow is a key player in the Middle East, and that there can be no solution to the Syrian conflict without Russia's involvement.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters: "We view the red carpet welcome for Assad, who has used chemical weapons against his own people, at odds with the stated goal by the Russians for a political transition in Syria," A state department official said it was not surprised by the visit, but the main US concern was Russia's continued military support, which he said had emboldened the Assad government - something that would only serve to lengthen the civil war.
In the wake of Mr Assad's surprise visit, President Putin spoke to a number of Middle Eastern leaders to brief them, that includes leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that after the visit "the Syrian government has no legitimacy left".
Russia's president and also the most powerful man in the world, Vladimir Putin said Moscow's hope was that a "long-term resolution can be achieved on the basis of a political process with the participation of all political forces, ethnic and religious groups". President Vladimir Putin sends a very clear message to the West - that Moscow is a key player in the Middle East, and that there can be no solution to the Syrian conflict without Russia's involvement.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters: "We view the red carpet welcome for Assad, who has used chemical weapons against his own people, at odds with the stated goal by the Russians for a political transition in Syria," A state department official said it was not surprised by the visit, but the main US concern was Russia's continued military support, which he said had emboldened the Assad government - something that would only serve to lengthen the civil war.
In the wake of Mr Assad's surprise visit, President Putin spoke to a number of Middle Eastern leaders to brief them, that includes leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that after the visit "the Syrian government has no legitimacy left".
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