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Assad in surprise visit to Moscow Assad Moscow visit: Syria leader in surprise visit
(35 minutes later)
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on an unannounced visit to Moscow.Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on an unannounced visit to Moscow.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Assad "came on a working visit to Moscow" on Tuesday evening and held talks with Mr Putin.Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Assad "came on a working visit to Moscow" on Tuesday evening and held talks with Mr Putin.
Russia began air strikes in Syria at the end of last month.Russia began air strikes in Syria at the end of last month.
Moscow says it is targeting Islamic State and other militant groups fighting Mr Assad's government.Moscow says it is targeting Islamic State and other militant groups fighting Mr Assad's government.
Mr Peskov told reporters that the two leaders had discussed the fight against what he called terrorist groups, the continuation of Russian air strikes and Syria's plans for its troops.Mr Peskov told reporters that the two leaders had discussed the fight against what he called terrorist groups, the continuation of Russian air strikes and Syria's plans for its troops.
It is not clear if Mr Assad is still in Moscow or has returned to Damascus.
It was the first overseas visit made by Mr Assad since the civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, Syrian state TV reports.It was the first overseas visit made by Mr Assad since the civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, Syrian state TV reports.
In a transcript of comments by the two leaders, given out by the Kremlin, Mr Putin described Syria as a "friend" and said Russia was ready to contribute "not only to military action... but to the political process too" to bring peace to the country. Analysis: Diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus
He said Russia was concerned that at least 4,000 citizens from the former Soviet Union were fighting with rebels groups in Syria. "We cannot permit them - once they get fighting experience and ideological training - to turn up in Russia". President Assad's surprise visit to Moscow represents a sign of growing confidence for the embattled Syrian president.
Firstly, he feels it safe to leave Damascus for the first time since the civil wars in Syria erupted.
It is also a visible symbol of Russia's confidence in the current Syrian regime. Having Mr Assad turn up in Moscow shows that there is little doubt that for now at least, President Putin is intent in shoring up Mr Assad's position.
But the trip may also mark a new stage in Russia's efforts to roll out a diplomatic plan alongside its military intervention in Syria; an illustration that Russia deals with Mr Assad, and that for now at least Mr Assad has to be part of any interim solution.
In a transcript of comments by the two leaders, given out by the Kremlin, Mr Putin thanked Mr Assad for coming despite the "dramatic situation" back home.
He said Russia was "offering effective assistance" to the Syrian people who had been "almost alone... resisting, fighting international terrorism for several years".
"They had suffered serious losses, but recently have been achieving serious results in this fight," he said.
For his part, Mr Assad thanked Russia for "standing for the unity of Syria and her independence", saying the rebels would have taken more territory if Moscow had not intervened.
Both men spoke of their hope that terrorism would be defeated, and a political solution could be found to bring an end to the conflict.