The International Monetary Fund has appointed its head of mission in Syria, the first time the Washington-based lender has filled the post since civil war erupted in 2011. This comes as a senior Syrian financial delegation visits the IMF this week. 

What happened: The IMF appointed Ron van Rooden as head of its mission to Syria, the country's finance minister, Mohammed Yosr Bernieh, said in a written statement on Wednesday, adding that his appointment came at Damascus’ request. Bernieh shared a post on LinkedIn in which he is seen shaking hands with van Rooden while attending the annual IMF-World Bank Spring meetings in Washington. The meetings take place April 21-26.

"This important appointment marks an important step and paves the way for constructive dialogue between the IMF and Syria, with the shared objective of advancing Syria's economic recovery and improving the well-being of the Syrian people," Bernieh wrote.

Bernieh and Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husrieh are attending the meetings in the first such visit to the United States since Bashar al-Assad was toppled on Dec. 8.