Russia said on Wednesday, Jan 9 ideas aired by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a speech on Sunday - criticized by his opponents, the United States and the U.N. chief - should be taken into account in the search for a solution to the conflict, according to Reuters.

Assad "affirmed readiness for the launch of an inter-Syrian dialogue and for reforming the country on the basis of Syria's sovereignty ... and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.