DAMASCUS: Visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani emphasised the `urgent need` to form an inclusive Syrian government during a meeting on Thursday with the country`s new interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Qatari royal court said.

The emir`s trip to Damascus the first by a head of state since rebels toppled president Bashar al-Assad less than two months ago comes a day after Sharaa was appointed interim president for an unspecified transitional period. It also follows a visit by Qatar`s prime minister this month.

The emir `stressed the urgent need to form a government representing all spectrums` of Syrian society in order `to consolidate stability and moveforward with reconstruction, development and prosperity projects`, the royal court statement said, congratulating Sharaa on his appointment.

Syria`s new authorities on Wednesday said Sharaa had also been tasked with forming a transitional legislature. They announced the dissolution of all armed groups involved in Assad`s overthrow, as well as the former government`s army. A transitional government had previously been appointed to steer the multi-ethnic, multi-confessional country until March 1.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said discussions with the Qatari delegation included reconstruction in the country devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war.-AFP