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New Syrian prime minister thanks Russia for support in fighting terrorism

The government of Imad Khamis formed on July 3 swore constitutional allegiance to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday

BEIRUT, July 13 /TASS/. The new Syrian government will strengthen diverse relations with its Russian friends, especially economic cooperation, Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis said in a telegram sent to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

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"We highly appreciate Russia’s noble stance, which is strengthening the staunchness of the Syrian people in confronting terrorism and enemy forces," the telegram said. Khamis also thanked Prime Minister Medvedev for greeting him with the appointment as Syrian prime minister on Tuesday.

The government of Imad Khamis formed on July 3 swore constitutional allegiance to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday. The new prime minister had been energy minister in the four previous governments since 2011. He had managed to ensure the normal work of the Syrian energy system in war conditions.

"The Syrian people are pinning high hopes on the new Syrian cabinet of ministers. "The new government team is assuming additional responsibility in the hard times, which Syria is going through. That requires extraordinary efforts, transparency and honesty in relations among citizens - in order to return their trust and enlist public support," President Assad said.

The Syrian president said that economic recovery was a vital task facing the new government.

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Islamic State Syrian conflict

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