Syria: Russia stands with Syria in fight against terror, vows Duma delegate

Head of State Duma Committee on Property Sergei Gavrilov relayed a message to the chairman of the Syrian parliament, expressing solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic and its President Bashar al-Assad as well as pledging continuous support in the “fight against international terrorism” in Damascus, Saturday. Speaking to journalists following a meeting with Syrian delegates, Gavrilov said the meeting was aimed at questions related to humanitarian aid, a strengthening of the political process and ways of economic recovery in Syria. He went on to demand a lift of international sanctions, to cease the funding and arming of terrorists and a reinforcement of humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. The Russian delegation, consisting of members from both chambers of Russia's parliament, arrived in Damascus on Friday on a three-day visit to Syria. The trip is primarily a humanitarian mission but the group of Russian lawmakers are also expected to meet with several government figures including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad himself. Shortly after arriving on Friday, the delegation met with the Grand Mufti of Syria Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun and the Speaker of the People's Council of Syria Mohammad Jihad al-Laham. The visit comes just three days after Assad met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria. During the talks the Syrian president thanked Putin for Russia's assistance in the fight against militant groups including the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and informed the Russian leader of the plans of government forces fighting on the ground.