Assad says ready to hold presidential election with people's blessing

Another lawmaker in the Russian delegation, told TASS news agency that Mr. Assad had said the effectiveness of Russia's military operation in Syria had exceeded expectations.

Bashar Assad in this file photo.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Russian lawmakers in Damascus on Sunday that he was ready to take part in presidential elections if the Syrian people support the idea, RIA news agency reported, citing a lawmaker at the meeting.

Interfax news agency cited the same lawmaker as saying Mr. Assad had also expressed a willingness to discuss amendments to Syria's constitution and hold parliamentary elections.

Moscow is a key foreign ally for Mr. Assad, and Russia's Foreign Minister said in comments aired on Russian TV on Saturday that the Kremlin wanted Syria to prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections.

RIA said Mr. Assad held the meeting with Russian lawmakers at his residence in Damascus on Sunday morning. State-run Syrian media reported that Mr. Assad was meeting a Russian delegation but made no mention of what he had told them.

"Assad said that if the Syrian people consider it necessary, he would not be against taking part in presidential elections," RIA quoted lawmaker Alexander Yushchenko as saying.

Dmitry Sablin, another lawmaker in the Russian delegation, told TASS news agency that Mr. Assad had said the effectiveness of Russia's military operation in Syria had exceeded expectations.