RUSSIAN President, Vladimir Putin and Qatari Emir, Tamim Al-Thani met in the Kremlin on Monday to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss the conflict in Syria.

Tamim also expressed condolence over a deadly fire in a Siberian shopping mall that has sent shock waves throughout Russia, according to a Kremlin statement.

The countries were expected to sign a range of agreements during the visit, particularly to support trade and humanitarian efforts, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said earlier in comments carried by state media.

Russia has gained increasing influence in the Middle East in recent years as it has turned the tide of the Syrian civil war and seeks to mediate Israeli-Palestinian tensions. (Dpa/NAN)

– Mar. 26, 2018 @ 19:49 GMT |