Syria's Assad tamps down expectations of closer ties with Turkey, Arab world

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad speaks during an interview with Sky News Arabia in Damascus, Syria in this handout picture released by the Syrian Presidency on August 8, 2023. Syrian Presidency/Handout via REUTERS

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday tamped down expectations for his country's renewed ties with the Arab world, in his first televised interview since Damascus's membership of the Arab League was restored in May.

In comments to Sky News Arabia in Damascus aired on Wednesday, Assad also said a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan could not happen due to a dispute over the withdrawal of Ankara's troops from rebel-held northwest Syria.