Western countries create chaos to control other states: Syrian president

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Thursday that some Western states practice "immoral policies" and create chaos to control other countries.

Assad made the remarks during his meeting with Alexander Lavrentiev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for Syria, in the capital Damascus, according to the state news agency SANA.

Assad described the Western pressure on Russia as a response to Russia's "important and effective role in the international arena."

For his side, Lavrentiev said Russia will continue to support Syria to overcome the effects of war. He expressed relief over what he described as signs that Syria is back on the international stage.

Russia has been a key ally of the Syrian government during the 10-year war in Syria.