By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/syria-assad-visits-russia Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Syrian leader Assad visits Russia, Turkey wishes he would stay World Oct 21, 2015 11:01 AM EDT Syrian President Bashar al-Assad traveled to Moscow on Tuesday to personally thank Russian President Vladimir Putin for his military support. It was Assad’s first foreign trip since conflict broke out in his country in spring 2011. Russia in recent weeks has built up its base near the war-torn country and lent air support to the regime, which is battling rebels seeking Assad’s ouster. Putin said he invited Assad, who told the Russian president during his visit: “We thank you for standing by Syria’s territorial integrity and its independence.” Assad returned to Damascus on Wednesday, a Syrian official told the New York Times. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters on Wednesday that the only political solution to Syria’s conflict involves Assad’s departure since “the Syrian government has no legitimacy left.” “What can I say. If only he would stay longer in Moscow so the Syrian people can be at ease, or if only he could stay there permanently and a real transition period could begin,” Davutoglu said. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — News Desk News Desk
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad traveled to Moscow on Tuesday to personally thank Russian President Vladimir Putin for his military support. It was Assad’s first foreign trip since conflict broke out in his country in spring 2011. Russia in recent weeks has built up its base near the war-torn country and lent air support to the regime, which is battling rebels seeking Assad’s ouster. Putin said he invited Assad, who told the Russian president during his visit: “We thank you for standing by Syria’s territorial integrity and its independence.” Assad returned to Damascus on Wednesday, a Syrian official told the New York Times. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters on Wednesday that the only political solution to Syria’s conflict involves Assad’s departure since “the Syrian government has no legitimacy left.” “What can I say. If only he would stay longer in Moscow so the Syrian people can be at ease, or if only he could stay there permanently and a real transition period could begin,” Davutoglu said. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now