Sharaa, announced his agreement to deploy UN forces in the designated buffer zone with Israel. Earlier, Israeli forces occupied the area after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Reuters reports. "Israel's advance in the region was due to the presence of Iranian militias and Hezbollah.

Chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court Karim Khan met Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday, state media reported, as last month's ouster of Bashar al-Assad sparks hopes for justice.

Assad's regime, Russia lost a key all in the Middle East - but it still hopes to keeps its military bases in Syria.

While the world waits to see how Syria's new leadership will govern the war-torn country, Canadian International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen says there's "absolutely no question" they are a step up from the Bashar al-Assad regime.

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235 million euro aid package for Syria and neighbouring countries on Friday during a visit to Damascus.

The country's new rulers have been pushing for sanctions relief since overthrowing Bashar al-Assad's government last month