DAMASCUS, Syria, May 12 (UPI) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with political leaders of Hamas during his first official trip to Damascus, his spokeswoman said.
Medvedev met this week with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus to discuss regional peace initiatives and energy issues.
The Russian president told Syrian newspaper al-Watan that searching for ways to tackle comprehensive risks "takes priority" with Damascus relations.
Natalya Timakova, the presidential spokeswoman, said Medvedev met with Khaled Mashaal, a Syrian-based political leader of Hamas, during his visit to Damascus, Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reports.
Timakova said the visit signaled the importance of pushing for reconciliation with Hamas and Fatah to strengthen Palestinian unity and advance Middle East peace. Hamas is the ruling authority in Gaza Strip, while Fatah controls the West Bank.
The spokeswoman added that "special attention" was given to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which has been subject to an Israeli blockade since 2007.
