Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned against "any foreign intervention that threatens to fragment states in the region and increase the risk of extremism in them"

During a meeting with the Russian Federation Council delegation on Sunday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned against "any foreign intervention that threatens to fragment states in the region and increase the risk of extremism in them".

Assad said "every reform step taken by the Syrian government was faced with escalation, foreign political and social pressures and attempts of foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs and undermining its stability through armed terrorist operations targeting civilians, policemen, and army and security forces' members.

He hailed the balanced and constructive Russian position toward the security and stability of Syria. The Russian delegation was headed by the Council's Deputy Chairman Ilyas Umakhanov.

President al-Assad warned that foreign interference threatens fragmenting the countries of the region and increases the risk of extremism in it.

For their part, the delegation members expressed pride in the Syrian-Russian historical relations, stressing their country's support to reforms taking place in Syria and its rejection of any foreign interference in the internal affairs of the Syrian people.

They added that they will convey the real image of what is taking place on ground to the Russian Parliament and people and all the European and friendly parliaments, according to SANA.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker of the People's Assembly Fahmi Hassan and Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban.

Ilyas Umakhanov, deputy head of Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, held discussions with Assad that were "open, trust-based and substantial," Russia's Interfax news agency said.

"It confirmed that the country's leadership understands that one can only overcome a political crisis by uniting all the country's healthy political forces."

"We once again saw for ourselves that the country's leadership intends to firmly move along the path of political reforms, create all the necessary conditions to consolidate society and all the patriotic forces of the country," the Russian senator was quoted as saying.