Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued a legislative decree, authorizing the release of prisoners including those convicted for misdemeanors as well as minors facing certain charges.

Ali Akbar Velayati, the advisor to the Supreme Leader, on Monday extended the greetings of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The United States has imposed sanctions on the son of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over "enriching" a government that has been fighting Takfiri militancy for years.