Syria to strike security deals with Israel by end of 2025

DAMASCUS, Sept 18 (AFP): Syria will strike several security and military agreements with Israel by the end of the year, a foreign ministry official told AFP on Thursday, in what would be a major milestone after the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Also on Thursday, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani landed in Washington, state television reported, to conduct the first such visit in more than 25 years.

"There is progress in the talks with Israel," said the ministry official who requested anonymity because he was not allowed to brief the media, adding that several agreements are expected to be signed "by the end of the year".

"Primarily, these would be security and military agreements," he said, adding that there would be a focus on "an agreement to halt (Israeli) military operations inside Syria".

State television meanwhile reported that Shaibani landed in Washington for an official visit, while a foreign ministry source told AFP the purpose of the trip was to discuss the lifting of remaining US sanctions on Syria.