Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived in Damascus on January 30 for historic talks with Syria's interim leadership, marking the first head of state visit since President Bashar al-Assad's removal from power in December.

This high-level engagement follows several diplomatic developments, including Qatar's swift reopening of its Damascus embassy after Assad's departure to Moscow via the Emirates and recent visits by various international delegations, including officials from Russia, France, Germany, and Turkey.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani revealed that discussions with the Qatari delegation centred on a comprehensive framework for reconstruction efforts in Syria, which has endured nearly 14 years of civil conflict.

The talks covered critical areas, including infrastructure development, investment opportunities, banking services, and improvements to the health and education sectors.

The visit is significant, just one day after Ahmed al-Sharaa's appointment as interim president. Qatari Minister of State Mohammed al-Khulaifi expressed support for Syria's announcement regarding "the end of the revolutionary phase and the transition to state-building," pledging continued assistance with humanitarian needs and infrastructure development, including a commitment to provide 200 megawatts of power with plans for increased production.

Qatar's position is particularly noteworthy as it maintained its distance from Assad's government throughout the civil war, unlike other Arab states that had restored diplomatic ties and are now expecting to bankroll the new regime in Damascus.

The emirate was among the earliest supporters of the opposition movement that emerged after Assad's crackdown on peaceful protests in 2011.

The new Syrian administration has begun implementing significant changes, including tasking Sharaa with forming a transitional legislature and announcing the dissolution of all armed groups involved in Assad's overthrow, as well as the former government's military forces.

The news of the Emir’s visit comes as Russian troops are reportedly leaving the country from the northern Mediterranean port of Tartus.

The Russian withdrawal follows what appears to be failed negotiations with Syria's new interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who formally took the position late on January 29. Al-Sharaa has reportedly demanded the extradition of former President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow in December following the collapse of the Baathist regime. Russia reportedly refused the demand to return the former Syrian leader.  

Dmitry Peskov has declined to comment on the specifics of any deal between the two sides and the departure from Tartus of the Russian military, which now needs to access Russian ports via Istanbul’s Bosphorus or around the Nordic countries.