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.

Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday morning started talks with Syria's interim president, Ahmed As Sharaa, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, Italian foreign ministry sources said.

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,

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