DAMASCUS (Syria). March 20 (Interfax) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have discussed the fight against international terrorism in the Middle East and post-crisis settlement, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"On the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin Russian Defense Minister Army Gen. Sergei Shoigu paid a working visit to the Syrian Arab Republic on March 19. In Damascus Sergei Shoigu had talks with President Bashar al-Assad and handed Russian President Putin's message to the Syrian leader," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"At the talks with Bashar al-Assad the fight against international terrorism in Syria, various aspects of ensuring security in the Middle East region and post-crisis settlement were discussed," the ministry said.
Additionally, the interlocutors discussed the further expansion of opportunities for the voluntary return of refugees and temporarily displaced persons to their homes in Syria and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syrian local residents, the Russian Defense Ministry added.