Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stressed Tuesday his country's determination to cooperate with " any effort that supports Syria's stability," state-run SANA news agency reported.

Assad's remarks were made during a meeting with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who arrived at Syria earlier in the day to deliver a message from the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Assad.

Assad stressed his country's determination to achieve a national dialogue with the participation of representatives from the government, opponents and independent figures, said SANA.

According to the report, Assad had briefed Lavrov on the course of events in Syria and the terrorism practiced on the Syrian people and the governmental institution by "terrorists who are supported by external parties."

Assad stressed that his country had welcomed all efforts aiming at supporting a solution to the crisis and fully cooperated with the Arab League (AL) observers despite the obstacles caused by some Arab countries, according to SANA.

Lavrov said that the meeting was "important," during which he voiced his country's readiness to help Syria to get out of the current unrest in accordance with the AL initiative, according to SANA.

He said that Syria needs peace and that a national reconciliation should be achieved away from foreign interference.

"President al-Assad affirmed his commitment as per the Arab plan to the task of putting an end to violence regardless of its source. To this end, Syria affirms its interest in continuing work with the Arab League observer mission and increasing observers' number to cover all points and verify any breaches or violations to the principle of not allowing violence regardless of source," he said.

Russia and China on Saturday vetoed an Arab-European draft resolution that backs an Arab League plan to promote a regime change in Syria. Russia said the draft contains imposition of conditions on the dialogue and called for measures to influence not only the government but also armed groups.