By Laith Al-jnaidi and Rania Abu Shamala
DAMASCUS/ISTANBUL (AA) - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Wednesday with a delegation from the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) led by its Secretary-General, Sheikh Ali Al-Qaradaghi, in the capital Damascus.
The Syrian presidency shared images on X from the meeting but did not provide further details on the content of the discussions.
The visit is part of a series of visits by Arab, regional and international delegations to Damascus to gain insight into the vision of the new administration.
On March 7, Sheikh Al-Qaradaghi sent a message to Al-Sharaa emphasizing the need for a "firm response" to attempts by remnants of the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime to spread chaos in the country.
His message followed attacks by Assad regime remnants on security checkpoints, outposts and patrols in Latakia province in northwest Syria.
Addressing Al-Sharaa via X, he said: “Over the past period, you have demonstrated wisdom and leadership, understanding the true meaning of justice that does not stray into oppression, and strength that does not turn into tyranny.”
Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president on Jan. 29 for a transitional period.