Iraqi Foreign Minister makes first visit to Syria since Assad's fall

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Monday discussed cooperation including on energy on his first trip to Syria since the December 2024.  During the visit, Hussein met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, according to Syrian state media.

A joint statement issued by both sides said Hussein and Shaibani discussed "ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and develop joint cooperation in various fields". The two sides also agreed to establish a joint committee overseeing energy, agriculture, water, transport and border crossings.

They also discussed "mechanisms for the transit of energy supplies and a project to rehabilitate the oil pipeline linking Iraq and Syria", according to the statement.