MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Shamkhani visited Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev on Monday, where the sides discussed a range of regional and international subjects, according to the Russian Security Council's press service.
"A tripartite group was formed as a result of this trip [to Russia] in order to discuss political issues and security in Syria up close," Ali Shamkhani said, as quoted by the Tasnim news service.
Earlier, Damascus initiated holding the defense ministers' meeting from Russia, Syria, and Iran.
Syria has been engulfed in a civil war for over five years. Apart from fighting against armed opposition groups, Damascus has had to counter the advance of various militant groups, including the notorious Daesh and al-Nusra Front.
