Top Egyptian diplomat makes rare visit to Syria

DAMASCUS — Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, in Damascus on Monday, the first visit by a senior Egyptian diplomat since the start of Syria's civil war about 12 years ago.

In their meeting, Shoukry conveyed a message from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who reaffirmed his country's support for Syria in facing the repercussions of the recent earthquakes, the media office of the Syrian presidency reported.

Shoukry also conveyed the Egyptian president's willingness to boost and develop relations between the two countries, it said.