"His resistance became legendary and inspired leaders and people all over the world," he said in the letter addressed to Castro's brother Raul, who is president of Cuba.

yria President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday hailed Fidel Castro’s “legendary resistance” to the embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba in a statement marking the death of the revolutionary leader. “The great leader Fidel Castro led his people’s and his country’s struggle against imperialism and hegemony for decades,” Assad, whose government is facing US sanctions, said in a message of condolences.

“His resistance became legendary and inspired leaders and people all over the world,” he said in the letter addressed to Castro’s brother Raul, who is president of Cuba. “Cuba, a friendly country, was able thanks to its leaders to resist against the toughest sanctions and most unjust campaigns in our modern history,” Assad said, referring to the US embargo on the island.

The United States and the European Union have imposed a series of sanctions on Syria since the war started in March 2011 with a massive regime crackdown on anti-government protests. Most of Assad’s inner circle and top military aides are the subjects of US travel bans and assets freezes.