President al-Assad slams foreign plot against Syria

President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday 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.

President al-Assad’s remarks came during a meeting with the Russian Federation Council delegation headed by the Council’s Deputy Chairman Ilyas Umakhanov.

The President talked about events which took place in Syria over the past period and the decrees and laws issued to upgrade Syria’s political and social future.

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

The President also hailed the balanced and constructive Russian stance towards the development of events in Syria and its keenness on Syria’s stability and security.

For their part, the delegation members expressed pride in the Syrian-Russain historical relations, stressing their country’s support to reforms taking palce 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.

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

In the same context, Speaker of the People’s Assembly Mahmoud al-Abrash discussed with Umakhanov means of strengthening parliamentary relations between the two countries ad exchanging expertise and visits.

In a statement to the journalists, Umakhanov described his meeting with President al-Assad as “constructive and fruitful” and that it was held in an open and transparent atmosphere.

He added that “Once again, we are sure of the Syrian leadership’s desire to make reforms in the country, achieve the real political change and preserve the national unity.”

Umakhanov said “We are convinced that the Syrian people only have the right to determine Syria’s future and that the people have patience, wisdom and rationality to overcome the current crisis and achieve security and stability in the country.

“We are assured and hopeful that events in Syria would peacefully develop with no more victims,” Umakhanov said, adding that the delegation will visit several Syrian cities to see reality on ground and convey the real image to Russia and the international community.

On the main topic discussed during the meeting, Umakhanov said “the main thing is that President al-Assad was confident and optimistic of Syria’s future and ability to come out of the current crisis peacefully.

Means of enhancing parliamentary cooperation between Syria and Russia were also touched upon, particularly on bilateral and international levels, he added.

He said “Syria faces a huge deluge of falsified news and information on the situation in there and whatever the amount of news, the situation on the ground should be examined closely.”

Umakhanov indicated to the need for continuing cooperation between specialized parliamentary committees in Syria and Russia, coordinating media policies and work mechanisms in international parliamentary circles and exchanging expertise in political reform.

He added that the Syrian leadership in Syria realizes the situation, required mechanism to tackle the crisis and means of unifying efforts in the interest of the homeland.

Umakhanov said the issue of political reform and change needs more time and efforts, lauding the comprehensive reform program led by President al-Assad and the calculated and balanced steps adopted to build a modern democratic state.

For his part, al-Abrash said that the meeting with Umakhanov dealt with legislations issued, in addition to laying the foundation for fruitful cooperation between the Russian Federation Council and the People’s Assembly to coordinate stances at international forums and conferences.