ISTANBUL 

A Russian delegation voiced support for Syria's sovereignty as it met the new administration in Damascus on Tuesday, marking the first such visit to the war-torn country since the fall of the Assad regime.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and Presidential Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev met Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

According to Syrian state news agency SANA, the Russian delegation voiced support for "the positive changes taking place in Syria."

They also discussed Russia's role in rebuilding relations with the Syrian people through tangible measures including compensation, reconstruction and recovery.

The Syrian administration affirmed commitment to dealing with all stakeholders "in a principled manner to build a future for Syria based on justice, dignity and sovereignty."

The visit was also confirmed by Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

​​​​​​​Bogdanov described the almost three-hour-long meeting as constructive, and that Moscow continues to support Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, according Russian news agency TASS.

​​​​​​​Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus in a lightning offensive last month, ending his family's decades-long rule.

Russia had been an ally to the ousted Assad regime in Syria, and currently has two major military bases in the country.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar