Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and top officials in Istanbul after Western sanctions on Syria were lifted.

The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties and Syria’s reconstruction.

Erdogan voiced opposition to Israel’s occupation of Syrian territory.

The talks involved key Turkish officials and Syrian ministers.

Al-Sharaa had met Erdogan earlier in Ankara and Saudi leaders in Riyadh, Al-Jazeera has reported.

US and EU sanctions were lifted following pressure from regional allies and Washington’s shift in policy. Syria’s Foreign Ministry called this a “positive step” to ease economic struggles.

Written by B.C. Begley