The new Syrian administration has called on Russia to extradite former President Bashar al-Assad, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with negotiations between the two countries.

Russia deployed troops to Syria in 2015 to support Assad regime's brutal crackdown against anti-government forces.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister and a special envoy arrived in Damascus. Theirs was the first such visit since President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, according to Russian state news.