Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday met with Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al Jolani, in a visit to Damascus, his first since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Al-Jolani took office as the head of the new Syrian administration after the rapid collapse of al-Assad's regime last year.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met Syria's new ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus Friday, state media said, in the latest such visit from a European diplomat since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Italy has signalled its willingness to act as a bridge-builder between Syria and the European Union after the fall of long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad. "Italy is ready to play its part in promoting the reform process in Syria,

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told visiting Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday that he was ready to stem "illegal immigration" to Europe, the European diplomat said.

Italy's foreign minister has arrived in Damascus for talks with de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa following a series of visits by EU officials

By bnm Gulf bureau Syria's new administration head Ahmad al-Sharaa met Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on January 10, as the country seeks to rebuild international ties, local Al Watan reported.