Abu Ayman al-Zeidalani looks out from behind a washing line in a destroyed building in the rebel-held town of Saqba where he and his family are taking shelter after fleeing their home in the Eastern Ghouta area due to the battles between government forces and rebels on February 6, 2017. (AFP/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Wednesday that the situation in the country is moving in a way desired by Damascus and Moscow, according to state news agency SANA.

The president made the remarks during his meeting Wednesday with a delegation of the Russian Duma, during which the president praised the Russian stances and "sacrifices" made during the war on terror in Syria.

He underscored the importance of the Russian role, whether in Syria or on the international arena, "in the face of the Western schemes which aim to dominate the sovereign and independent countries fighting for the interests of its people."

Assad also stressed that his government is determined to defend Syria and to move forward in the efforts of establishing reconciliations, "because it's the most effective way toward ending the war and reaching a peaceful solution."

The Russian delegation members stressed their country's support to Syria in the war on terror, and to render the needed humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country.

Russia stepped into the Syrian conflict to aid the Syrian government forces in September 2015, succeeding to prop up the forces of President Assad in the face of tens of rebel groups, most of which are backed by the Western and regional countries.

Moscow has also succeeded to make alliance with Turkey regarding the war on the terrorist groups in Syria, mainly the Islamic State (IS) group, and recently managed to jointly broker a ceasefire with Turkey in Syria that went into force on Dec. 30.

Several breaches were reported, but the truce was highly valued as a way toward reaching a political solution to the long-standing conflict.