Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accused today (Tuesday) the United States of America and the West of "fabricating a global political and economic crisis" to undermine Russia's position and international presence, according to the Syrian official media.

The official Syrian News Agency (SANA) quoted President al-Assad as saying, during a meeting with the special envoy of Russian President Alexander Lavrentiev, that America and the West fabricated a global political and economic crisis, and caused a state of global instability with the aim of undermining Russia's standing and international presence, and they used Ukraine as a tool for this purpose.

He continued, "The effects of this crisis are deepening in their countries (America and the West) in terms of living, social and economic life."

Al-Assad affirmed, "Russia's steadfastness in its stances towards the West and America is one of the most important factors heralding the birth of a multipolar world, which all countries and peoples that adhere to international law and defend their sovereignty, independence of decision, and national interests aspire to."

During the meeting, they discussed the file of the return of Syrian refugees and the steps taken in this field, in addition to ideas and proposals that are being discussed at the Arab and international levels to solve this file, according to the agency.

Lavrentiev conveyed to President al-Assad the greetings of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stressing Russia's continued support for Syria to enhance the security and stability of the Syrian people, as well as cooperation between the two countries to secure a decent return for Syrian refugees.

The Russian official stressed that Russia and Syria adhere to the humanitarian dimension of the Syrian refugee file, and categorically reject all attempts to politicize it.

The agency stated that the meeting also dealt with "Turkish intransigence in the issue of withdrawal from Syrian territory, and cross-border humanitarian aid for Syrian civilians living in areas controlled by terrorist organizations, in accordance with the rules of sovereignty and international humanitarian law."

Lavrentiev arrived in Syria earlier today for talks with Syrian officials.
Russia is Syria's main international ally in the bloody conflict that has been taking place in the country since March 2011.