ISTANBUL

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa headed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday for an official visit, the state news agency SANA reported.

No details were provided about the duration of the visit, his second since Sharaa took office in January.

On April 13, Sharaa met with his Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the Syrian leader’s first visit to the UAE to discuss ways of bolstering bilateral relations.

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

A new transitional administration led by Sharaa was formed in Syria in January.