Syria's interim leader holds talks with key ally Turkey on his second international trip

Syria’s interim president was in the Turkish capital on Tuesday for talks expected to focus on Syria’s economic recovery as well as the presence of Kurdish-led forces in the north of the country that Turkey considers to be a security threat.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was appointed interim president last week, appeared to have been welcomed in Ankara with a low-key ceremony compared to other heads of state, who are usually received with military bands and mounted troops escorting them on arrival.
Al-Sharaa, the former rebel leader who headed the insurgents who toppled President Bashar Assad in December, is making his second international trip following his visit to Saudi Arabia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greeted al-Sharaa, who was dressed in a suit and a red tie — an apparent nod to the Turkish flag — with a small group of the honor guard at the entrance of the vast presidential palace complex.

Turkey was a strong backer of groups opposed to Assad during the country’s 13-year civil war and is considered to be one of the new administration’s key allies.