Makei promises political support to Assad

Belarusian foreign minister Uladzimir Makei had a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Syria to Belarus.

The officials agreed on mutual political support on the international arena.

The sides emphasised the need to step up trade and economic cooperation, BelaPAN reports.

Syria's ambassador presented copies of credentials to the Belarusian foreign minister.

Former ambassador of Syria to Belarus Farouk Taha, who had worked in Belarus since 2007, fled to a European country. The media reported the term of his office had expired. However, Farouk Taha didn't return to Damask, a source says. He fled Minsk to a European country, supposedly Switzerland, in spring 2012. The Belarusian and Syrian authorities apparently decided not to advertise the escape of the diplomat.