Palestinian premier meets Syrian administration leader in Damascus

By Awad Rjoub and Rania Abu Shamala

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa met on Tuesday Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of the new Syrian administration, in Damascus.

Mustafa “conveyed the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian people to the leadership and people of Syria," the premier’s office said in a statement.

He affirmed the Palestinian support for Syria and the war-torn country’s territorial integrity.

"Today, from Damascus, we look toward the future of Syria with hope that it will overcome the challenges of this phase. For us, Syria is a pivotal state, supportive and backing our cause,” the premier said.

He added that Palestine “strongly and insistently” supports lifting international sanctions on Syria as a “fundamental requirement for stability, development, and Syria's return to its rightful place and role in the Arab League.”

"While we affirm the unity of Syria, we also reaffirm the unity of Palestinian territories and our people’s right to establish their independent and sovereign state based on international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, under a single legitimate leadership represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO),” Mustafa said.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.

A new administration led by Al-Sharaa has now taken control of the country.