DHAKA: The White House has strongly condemned a visit to Moscow by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

A spokesman criticised Russia for putting on a “red carpet welcome”, reports the BBC.

The Syrian leader’s trip on Tuesday came three weeks after Russia began air strikes in Syria against Islamic State (IS) militants and other forces.

It was Assad’s first overseas trip since civil war broke out in Syria in 2011. The conflict has claimed more than a quarter of a million lives.

While in Moscow, Assad made a point of expressing his gratitude for Russia’s military intervention in the conflict.

He said Russia’s involvement had stopped “terrorism” becoming “more widespread and harmful” in Syria.

Putin said Moscow’s hope was that a “long-term resolution can be achieved on the basis of a political process with the participation of all political forces, ethnic and religious groups”.

BDST: 1004 HRS, OCT 22, 2015
SR