DAMASCUS, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began talks with visiting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who arrived in Syria Wednesday on the first visit by an Iranian president since the beginning of the Syrian war in 2011, according to the state news agency SANA.
An official reception ceremony was held upon Raisi's arrival at the Al-Sha'ab presidential palace in Damascus, where Assad was waiting for him.
Both leaders reviewed the honor guard before heading into the palace and starting their talks, SANA said.
Raisi was earlier received by Syrian foreign ministry officials and representatives from the Syrian presidency at Damascus International Airport.
The ministerial delegation accompanying the Iranian president includes Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and other senior officials.
During the two-day official visit, the Iranian president would hold extensive political and economic talks with his Syrian counterpart and sign several agreements, according to SANA.
