Syrians resolute in defending homeland: Assad

President Bashar al-Assad says the Syrian people are determined to continue defending their homeland and maintaining unity despite all the pressures and suffering imposed on them.

The Syrian president made the remark in a meeting with visiting Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Mubashir Javed Akbar on Saturday, Syrian official news agency, SANA, reported.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the situation in Syria, the threat of terrorism as well as Damascus-New Delhi bilateral ties.

Assad praised friendly countries, including India, for their support for the Syrian nation and government in the fight against militants in the country.

The support has strengthened the nation’s steadfastness in the face of the war waged against Syria by certain foreign and regional states, Assad said.

The Indian minister, for his part, underlined the need for cooperation with Syria in the fight against terrorism, praising Damascus achievements in this regard.

He further said that India would spare no effort to help the development and reconstruction of Syria.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011.

Damascus has long been complaining that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar are the main supporters of the militants fighting the Syrian government forces.

The United Nations estimates that over 400,000 people have so far been killed in the conflict.

The war has also taken a heavy toll on the Arab country’s infrastructure.