MANAMA, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and visiting Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met here Saturday on bilateral ties and regional issues, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

The two sides "discussed relations and opportunities to strengthen cooperation across various domains," and "addressed regional developments and the efforts undertaken in that regard," it reported.

The discussions included the latest developments in Syria and ways to support its security and stability, it reported.

Syria's new leadership has ramped up diplomatic efforts recently with visits to world capitals, seeking international recognition and aid. The diplomatic outreach is accompanied by resurgent sectarian tensions in Syria, particularly involving the Druze minority in the southern region. ■