Moallem: We Dare Anyone to Present Evidence on Syria’s Use of Chemical Weapons |
Local Editor Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem assured that all the talk about an imminent strike consists of lies, pointing out that any strike to be carried against Syria serves the interests of "Israel" and al-Nusra front. During a press conference held on Monday, al-Moallem stressed that Syria will defend itself with all tools possible in case it is attacked. He accentuated that any possible military strike against Syria will not affect the accomplishments of the Syrian army and its advances in Eastern al-Ghouta, guaranteeing "Syria is not an easy grab, and has tools with which it will defend itself, it will surprise everyone." "If they want to launch an aggression on Syria, the pretext of using chemical weapons is inaccurate, and if the aim of their campaign is to affect the Syrians' morale, they are mistaken... and I challenge them to show their evidence," al-Moallem added. On the arrival of the international team of investigators, al-Moallem declared "Syria has immediately agreed to the UN requests and there was no delay, and I say to US Secretary of State John Kerry that we are not obstructing UN inspectors' work."  Questioning claims that the Syrian regime deliberately delayed the coming of the UN team to Syria, he said "The first time we called on the UN to visit Syria and witness the evidence that the opposition had used chemical weapons, it took them five months to come," adding "We are not supervisors of the UN inspectors, they are independent in their work, we only facilitate their work." Regarding the UN team investigations in Syria, al-Moallem said that Russian experts have presented a detailed report to the UN on the Khan al-Assal attacks and confiscated material in Joubar area, which is part of the evidence on the terrorist groups' use of chemical weapons the Syrian regime will reveal in the right time." He iterated that in case there is any proof the armed groups have resorted to the use of chemical weapons, the West will conceal that. Al-Moallem also reminded that the UN inspection team was shot at by snipers as it entered a region controlled by the armed groups in Eastern al-Ghouta. Al-Moallem, answered questions on the position of bordering countries and major players in the crisis. Concerning Jordan, al-Moallem said "Jordan's benefit lies in standing by Syria because Jordan's security is related to Syria's security, hence Jordan it is normal that Jordan will not use its territories to launch an attack against Syria." On a related note, al-Moallem refrained from commenting on the Turkish stance of joining the strike against Syria. Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu had stated that Turkey will take part in the attack against the Syrian regime. Al-Moallem underlined " I will not comment on Ahmet Davutoglu's statement that it will take part in any possible intervention in Syria. If the balance of the Turkish leadership was upset by what happened in Egypt, this upset plunge deeper due to what is going on in Syria." Commenting on the Geneva II conference, the Syrian FM believed, "Since the beginning, we have doubted the US intentions towards the Geneva Conference, and we told our Russian friends we trust you but we do not trust the US because it does not want a political solution and the reason is clear which is that "Israel" does not want this solution, but rather wants the continuance of violence and terrorism." Furthermore, al-Moallem highlighted that "What has been taking place in Syria and Iraq is an implementation of a policy drawn in 2009 to reach Iran." He also emphasized total coordination between Iran and Syria in the different fields. Al-Moallem also noted to the historic relations between Syria and Russia; the latter has not given up on its Syrian ally as coordination is almost on daily basis. Source: Al-Ahed News |
27-08-2013 | 15:30 |
Syria vowed on Tuesday it will fight off any Western military strikes with what it called "surprise" defenses, while raising the specter of Islamists benefiting from such intervention."We have two options: either to surrender, or to defend ourselves with the means at our disposal. The second choice is the best: we will defend ourselves," said Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.
He was speaking at a news conference as the United States and its allies edged closer to launching strikes against Syria amid accusations it used chemical weapons against its own people.
Muallem said the government of President Bashar al-Assad, which has been fighting an insurgency for the past 29 months, had defenses that would "surprise" the world.
"Syria is not an easy case. We have defenses which will surprise others," he said in Damascus.
Russian news agency Interfax said on Tuesday that Damascus government had enough air defense systems to rebuff attacks.
"If the US army together with NATO launch an operation against Syria there won't be an easy victory," the agency quoted a military-diplomatic source as saying.
The Syrian minister said he was confident that Russia would not abandon Damascus.
"I can assure you that Russia has not abandoned Syria. Our relations continue in all fields, and we thank Russia for its support," Muallem told reporters.
Muallem also charged that strikes would benefit Israel and jihadist groups in the Middle East.
"The war effort led by the United States and their allies will serve the interests of Israel and secondly Al-Nusra Front," an al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group in Syria, said Muallem.
He challenged Western states to present evidence that the Assad regime had used chemical weapons.
"We are hearing war drums around us. If they want to launch an attack against Syria, I think using the excuse of chemical weapons is not true at all. I challenge them to show what proof they have," Muallem said.
The minister also said foreign military intervention in the country would not stop the government's campaign against rebels.
"If they think they can stop the victory of our armed forces like that, they are wrong," he stressed.
The intensifying Western moves to take military action came as a team of UN arms experts collected evidence from the site of the alleged chemical weapons attacks on the outskirts of Damascus on August 21, which reportedly killed more than 300 people.
The inspectors had been due to visit the sites again on Tuesday, but Muallem said their trip had been postponed for a day because rebels failed to guarantee their security.
"Today, we were surprised by the fact that they were not able to get there because the rebels did not agree to guarantee the mission's security. So the mission has been delayed until tomorrow," said Muallem.
The group was originally due to leave Syria on Sunday, but their stay could be extended as they investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in the conflict that has killed more than 100,000 people.
(AFP)