Syria, Lebanon leaders in Qatar for first official visits

The presidents of Syria and Lebanon arrived in Qatar on separate visits Tuesday, the first official trips by both leaders to the wealthy Gulf state since taking office.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha, the Qatari leader’s office said in a statement.

Qatar has been a key backer of the new administration in Damascus after longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December.

The talks between the Qatari and Syrian leaders “covered the…