Assad, in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Russia's military presence in Syria did not need to be temporary.
![Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow on 15 March 2023. [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_330x185/public/2023-03/gettyimages-1248338409-612x612.jpg?h=e9017a68&itok=5nJoTjaH)
![A view of Israel's separation wall in Bethlehem. [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/2021-08/GettyImages-940081472-2.jpg?h=8fe3b20d&itok=eoxlHWJA)
![Political and social mural paintings on the Israeli West Bank barrier in Bethlehem on 10 April 2014. [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/2021-07/GettyImages-929047234.jpg?h=265e640d&itok=IMFftb1v)
![General views of the separation wall in Bethlehem on 16 June 2013 in the occupied West Bank. [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/2021-07/GettyImages-170707087.jpg?h=0d27ee61&itok=zR1Q9tma)
![Naftali Bennett, leader of the Israeli right-wing 'New Right' party, speaks onstage during a campaign rally on 17 March 2021. [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/2021-06/GettyImages-1231773630.jpg?h=199d8c1f&itok=RCyGFhMB)
