During the meeting, held at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, the two sides discussed mechanisms to boost bilateral ties, as well as regional and international developments affecting the stability of the Middle East.

The Syrian leader expressed his country’s readiness to receive any genuine initiative that would contribute to security and stability, provided that national sovereignty is respected and the right of the people to make independent decisions is guaranteed.

The British advisor also held talks with Syrian Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, with whom he discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest, in particular the fight against terrorism and border security.

Powell’s visit comes just days after British Foreign Secretary David Lammy officially announced the restoration of diplomatic relations with Syria during a historic visit to Damascus, the first by a senior British official in over a decade.

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