UPDATE - Syria’s president meets with Iraqi premier in Doha

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By Mohammad Sio and Rania Abu Shamala

DOHA, Qatar (AA) - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani during a brief visit to Qatar earlier this week that was facilitated by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a senior Iraqi government source told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Thursday.

The tripartite meeting, held in the presence of the Qatari emir, addressed the volatile regional situation, particularly ongoing developments in Syria, the source said.

The source did not specify the exact date of the meeting but Al-Sharaa and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun were in Qatar on Tuesday.

No official statements from Qatar have been issued.

Al-Sudani emphasized Iraq’s “close monitoring of Syria’s developments, including the presence of Israeli occupation forces on Syrian soil.”

He reiterated Iraq’s unwavering stance, advocating for a comprehensive political process in Syria that safeguards its diverse social, religious and national components.

The Iraqi leader also called for the protection of sacred sites, places of worship, and the rights of all Syrian communities, according to the INA.

The prime minister specifically urged respect for human rights, citing recent incidents involving Syria’s Alawite community, the source added.

In a statement, the Syrian presidency confirmed that the meeting focused on reviving joint Arab cooperation and reaffirming the deep historical ties between Syria and Iraq.

Both leaders stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of Syria and Iraq and rejected all forms of foreign intervention, stating that stability in both countries is a “cornerstone to regional security.”

They also agreed to strengthen field and intelligence coordination to counter shared border security threats and discussed mechanisms for boosting trade ties and mutual investments, particularly in the energy, transportation and infrastructure sectors.

Ahead of the meeting’s disclosure, Al-Sudani announced Wednesday that he had extended an invitation to Al-Sharaa to attend an Arab League summit which Baghdad will host in May.

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

A transitional Syrian administration was declared on Jan. 29, dissolving the constitution, security services, armed factions, the Baath Party and parliament.