Russian Foreign Minister held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad, shortly after he arrived in Damascus and received by thousands of regime supporters.

Russian Foreign Minister held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad, shortly after he arrived in Damascus and received by thousands of regime supporters.

"Every leader in every country should be aware of his share of responsibility. You are aware of yours," Lavrov said to Assad as they kicked off the talks, according to English-language reports by Russian news agencies.

"We hope that the Arab people can live in peace and understanding," the Russian envoy added.

Syrian state news agency SANA said that the foreign minister arrived in Damascus amid huge popular reception in appreciation of Russia's support to Syria, people and its reform program.

"Huge crowds flocked to ... greet Minister Lavrov and express appreciation of Russia's stances," it said.
State television showed footage of a sea of people waving Syrian and Russian flags as they lined the streets of the capital, many chanting: "Thank you Russia, thank you China."

"I want to thank Russia and China for their stand in support of the Syrian people," one woman said, before crowds swarmed to greet Lavrov's convoy.

Lavrov's trip comes days after Russia vetoed along with China a UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria.
The mission is taking place on the orders of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Russian state media have said Lavrov is bearing a message from the Kremlin for Assad.

The foreign ministry said on Sunday the trip aimed to stabilize the escalating crisis in Syria by winning the "rapid implementation of much-needed democratic reforms" by the Assad regime.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Lavrov refused to divulge the purpose of the mission.
"When you go on a mission on the order of the head of state then the purpose of the mission is usually only revealed to the person it is addressed to. If I tell you everything now, then what is the point?" he said.