Syrian President Assad assured the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross that he welcomed the humanitarian operations carried out by the committee on the ground in Syria, as long as it remains impartial and independent, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

It said the ICRC chief welcomed "the cooperation shown by the Syrian government" in his meeting with Assad and "the bridges of trust that have been built between the two parties."

Maurer was in Damascus on Tuesday for talks with Assad and other officials on ways to deliver humanitarian aid to Syrians caught up in the civil war, an ICRC spokeswoman said.

Maurer during the 45-minute meeting urged respect for international humanitarian law and the need to boost assistance on the ground in Syria, ICRC spokesman Hisham Hassan said in a statement.

Hisham described the meeting as "positive" and said Maurer had raised topics related to the "protection of civilians during hostilities."

Despite the difficult working conditions, the ICRC said it and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent had provided nearly 180,000 people with food in the hardest-hit parts of the country since mid-July.

Meanwhile, China said Tuesday it maintains its opposition to any use of chemical weapons or military intervention in Syria.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks in response to reports that western countries will prepare a tough response if the Syrian government deploys chemical or biological weapons.

China firmly opposes any country's development, production and use of chemical weapons, Hong said.

Our opposition to military intervention in Syria is consistent and clear, he said, calling on the international community to adopt a responsible attitude and adhere to a political solution to the  Syrian crisis.

According to media reports, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Monday that France is in discussions with Britain and the US about the possible use of chemical or biological weapons by Assad's regime.