Syrian President Bashar al-Assad welcomed on Tuesday the humanitarian efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) "so long as it carries out its work independently with evenhandedness," the state-run SANA news agency reported.

Assad made the remarks during his meeting with visiting ICRC chief Peter Maurer, who flew in a day earlier for a three-day visit for meeting with top Syrian officials.

The talks touched upon the relations between the ICRC and the Syrian government, said SANA, adding that Maurer voiced appreciation for the Syrian government's cooperation.

Maurer also met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and his deputy Faisal Mikdad.

He also met with head of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Abdul- Rahman al-Attar and headed to the restive suburbs of Muadamiyeh and Harasta around the capital Damascus.