MOSCOW, March 10. /TASS/. The situation in the Middle East in light of the current developments in Syria was the focus of a meeting between Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Turkish Ambassador to Moscow Tanju Bilgic, the Russian foreign ministry said. "The sides exchange views on the situation in the Middle East with a focus on current developments in Syria," the ministry said. "The diplomats reiterated Moscow and Ankara’s commitment to coordinated efforts to promote a comprehensive settlement of the Syria crisis, proceeding from the need to ensure Syria’s unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty." The two diplomats also discussed prospects for settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in conformity with international law and the United Nations Charter, it said, adding that meeting was requested by the Turkish side. On March 6, clashes broke out in various areas of the Latakia governorate between Syrian security forces and armed groups supporting former Syrian President Bashar Assad. The fiercest fighting took place in Jableh, home to Alawites, representatives of the religious minority, to which the Assad family belongs. The new authorities sent army units and armored vehicles to the three provinces, and curfews have been imposed in the main cities. These clashes are the biggest challenge that the transitional government in Damascus has faced since the change of power in December 2024.