MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Attempts at isolating other countries only strengthen them but weaken the dollar, Syrian President Bashar Assad said.

"The problem is that the dollar is losing its weight and cost. This is good. In general, I believe that isolation strengthens other countries and weakens the dollar. It is working for our benefit in the long run. This is not bad. This is idiocy. Let them {Western countries - TASS) continue in the interests of the entire world, not only Russia and Syria. It will be beneficial for us, maybe, even in the medium-term perspective," he said in an interview with the Soloviov Live television channel.

He recalled historical examples of isolation by the West, such as "the isolation of Cuba some 60 years ago and the isolation of Syria in 1979." "Also in 1979, they imposed sanctions on Iran, then - on North Korea," Assad said. "Isolation has been expanded to include Russia and China. It will be continued until the West finds itself isolated, while other countries cooperate with each other.".