Syrian President Bashar al-Assad holds talks with the Russian delegation
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned that foreign intervention in Syria will divide the region and increase extremism.
Assad said in Damascus on Sunday that certain foreign powers are making efforts to undermine Syria's stability, but praised Russia's constructive role in the Middle East region, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
The Syrian president added that every reformative step the government took was met with further violence, more foreign pressure and attempts of interference in the country's internal affairs.
He explained that some foreign elements are trying to weaken Syria by supporting terrorists, who are targeting civilians, members of police, army and other security forces in the country.
The president made the remarks during a meeting with the Russian Federation Council delegation headed by the Council's Deputy Chairman Ilyas Umakhanov.
The delegation members lauded historical relations between Russia and Syria and reiterated Moscow's support for the political reforms Damascus is adopting.
The Russian delegation also rejected any kind of foreign interference in the internal affairs of Syria.
President Assad hailed the balanced and helpful Russian stance towards the development of events in Syria.
Syrian officials say 1,400 people, including 700 security forces, have been killed since the beginning of unrest in the country in mid-March.
The Syrian government blames outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorists for the violence while the opposition accuses security forces of being behind the killings in the country.
