Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has credited Russia with helping to eliminate extremists. This came as he met a Russian delegation in Damascus on Tuesday. 

According to Syria's state news agency SANA, the two sides discussed issues including historical relations binding the two countries, as well as the war waged against Syria by extremists. Assad said the "elimination" of a large number of extremists was the result of the "steadfastness of the Syrian people and army" and help from friends, mainly Russia. The visiting Russian delegation included parliamentarians as well as religious, social and media figures.