In a landmark diplomatic encounter, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday in Qatar.
The meeting, the first between the two leaders, was brokered by Qatar and attended by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, reflecting a growing regional push for political dialogue and reconciliation.
The talks precede President Sharaa’s anticipated appearance at the Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17, signaling Syria’s re-emergence on the regional stage.
Sharaa, appointed interim president in January, has promised to form a transitional government to rebuild Syria’s shattered institutions and lead the country toward elections within five years.
Syria recently adopted a constitutional declaration to guide the interim period, enshrining Islamic law while affirming women’s rights and freedom of expression.
Prime Minister al-Sudani called for a broad political process in Syria, emphasizing the need to preserve religious, ethnic, and national diversity following recent sectarian violence.
Last month, hundreds of Alawites were killed in western Syria in retaliation for an ambush by loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, himself an Alawite.
Al-Sudani also urged the Syrian government to intensify efforts against Islamic State militants, warning that the threat remains persistent in the region.
The leaders discussed ways to foster cooperation and agreed to build stronger ties between Baghdad and Damascus through mutual respect and shared security goals.
Both sides affirmed their commitment to national sovereignty and rejected any form of foreign interference in their internal affairs.
The Doha meeting marks a critical step in reshaping regional alliances and addressing the legacy of war and instability across the Levant.
