Russia is willing to help with the reconstruction of Syria as it continues to seek a deal with the country’s new leadership to retain two vital military bases, according to a senior Middle East policy adviser to the Russian government.

Bashar-al Assad fled the country on December 8 to take refuge in the Russian capital, where he owns several luxury apartments. According to satellite images analyzed by the BBC, the Russian army appears to have accelerated its withdrawal from the Syrian port of Tartous,

Arab leaders have warmly welcomed Ahmed al-Sharaa as Syria's interim president, with close allies of his deposed predecessor remaining noncommittal.

Russia reaffirms its commitment to maintain a permanent dialogue with Syria's new leadership after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria has demanded reparations from Russia in order to "rebuild trust" after a meeting between Damascus' new administration and a Moscow delegation, according to local news sources. Russia and Syria's meeting to discuss future relations comes as Moscow looks to retain its two military bases in the Middle Eastern country.

It already appears evident that the days of Russia serving as its leading arms supplier have come to an ignominious end.

A Russian delegation tells Damascus it wants certain Syrian opposition groups included in the upcoming national dialogue conference

Russia deployed troops to Syria in 2015 to support Assad regime's brutal crackdown against anti-government forces.

Russia's long-held military presence at Tartus fell into uncertainty after the collapse of the Assad regime last month.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister and a special envoy arrived in Damascus. Theirs was the first such visit since President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, according to Russian state news.

Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on Wednesday abolished the country’s constitution and declared himself president during a meeting of armed factions in Damascus.