ISTANBUL 

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Monday vowed to improve bilateral ties with Syria.

“I have congratulated the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on the formation of the new Syrian government,” Anwar said in a brief statement on Facebook.

“Malaysia is committed to improving bilateral relations, particularly in the economic field, and is ready to encourage Malaysian companies to invest and contribute to Syria's reconstruction efforts,” said Anwar.

Ahmad al-Sharaa invited “me to visit Syria in an effort to strengthen cooperation between the two countries,” said the Malaysian prime minister.

Anwar's statement comes after al-Sharaa, who took charge after the fall of the Assad regime last December, announced the new government in Damascus last month, appointing 23 ministers, including one woman.