Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Tuesday that Russia could be a sponsor of the Middle East peace process.

Speaking at a news conference after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, al-Assad said he and Putin discussed the creation of a mechanism that would lead to stability in the Middle East.

"Russia could become a sponsor of the Middle East settlement," al-Assad was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

"Our strategic dialogue with Russia is based on Russia's increased involvement in the peace process. Russia plays a real role in the region," he said.

Russia is a member of the Quartet of international mediators for the Middle East, which also includes the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.

Putin told al-Assad during the talks that Russia remained "actively involved in the Middle East settlement through constant contacts with all political forces in Palestine."

Source: Xinhua