Posted on November 19, 2013 by Alexandra Valiente
Tehran: Supporting Syria in counterterrorism responsibility of international community
Nov 19, 2013
Nov 19, 2013
Moscow, (SANA) – Assistant of Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdullahian, stressed that supporting Syria in combating terrorism is the responsibility of the whole international community, expressing regret that some sides are transferring weapons to ‘the armed groups’ in Syria.
In a press conference held in Moscow Tuesday, Abdullahian reaffirmed Iran’s and Russia’s support for reaching a political solution to the crisis in Syria, saying that the most important matter now is making the international conference on Syria a success.
He highlighted that success in “Geneva II”, the political settlement and the Syria dialogue are issues that are contingent on stopping sending weapons, money and terrorists to Syria.
“Our support to Syria will continue, and Iran undoubtedly will play a constructive role in settling the crisis in Syria politically,” the Iranian official clarified, adding that his country is making continuous consultations for solving the crisis in Syria with the partners in Russia and Syria, in addition to the UN Envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, and UN Under-Secretary General for Middle Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman.
“We are approaching the convening of the international conference on Syria, Geneva 2, and according to our primary information, the participation of some countries has been confirmed,” said Abdullahian.
He described his meeting with Russian President’s Special Envoy for the Middle East Affairs, Michael Bogdanov, as fruitful and important, adding “We welcome political settlement and holding the conference, but we want to stress that no country has the right to make a decision on behalf of the Syrian people.”
Abdullahian expressed doubt that the ‘Syrian opposition’ is ready to participate in the international conference on Syria.
He pointed out that he discussed with Deputy Foreign and Expatriate Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, several issues, including the humanitarian aspect of the crisis in Syria, pointing out that his country has provided humanitarian aid to Syria with a value estimated at a billion Euros.
Abdullahian said that Iran is not sending weapons or personnel to Syria, adding that Tehran has dispatched military counselors to help the Syrians in combating terrorism after receiving information from the UN on the existence of extremist fighters who have came from Europe and other countries to Syria.
He said that the Iranian planes which head to Syria are being searched upon U.S. directives, stressing that Iran has only sent humanitarian aid that is distributed to Syrian towns and villages in cooperation with local authorities.”
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marzieh Afkham reiterated her country’s stress that the solution in Syria should be political and should be reached by the Syrians themselves.
In her weekly press conference, Afkham hoped that the Geneva2 conference will help come out with a form for solving the crisis in Syria.
Mikdad: Talks with Russian officials focused on combating terrorism, Geneva conference
Nov 19, 2013
Moscow, (SANA) – Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad said that the talks held by the Syrian delegation currently visiting Moscow with Russian officials focused on the importance and combating terrorism and halting violence.
In a statement to Russia Today TV channel on Tuesday following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Mikdad said that before holding talks in Geneva, Syrians must agree that terrorism is out of discussion and that it must cease immediately, stressing that stopping terrorism is the mission of all patriotic Syrians.
He said that the Syrian government welcomes the establishing of a Syrian national coalition against terrorism and foreign interference, reiterating that the government will not hold talks with terrorists nor meet with them.
Mikdad opined that it won’t be difficult for Syrians to agree upon ending violence and stopping the bloodshed which is supported by certain sides and countries including Saudi Arabia, France, Britain, the US and their pawns inside Syria.
The Deputy Foreign Minister said talks with Russian officials also discussed preparations for holding the Geneva 2 conference, its composition and the criteria for participating in it, in addition to touching on the growing and developing Syrian-Russian relations, adding that the future of these relations is very promising, particularly if Syrians manage to find a final solution and put an end to the destructive war.
He noted that the talks held on Tuesday are marked by the fact that they were held in sight of the whole world, showing that the relations with Russia are advanced and that there are no secrets in it.
Mikdad asserted that the Russian position regarding the situation in Syria hasn’t changed, voicing Syria’s readiness to support Lavrov’s call for moderate forces in Syria to unite to combat terrorism, affirming readiness to implement this directive if the other forces are Syrian, nationalist, willing to shed blood, make independent national decisions, and are not subservient to Saudi Arabia, Britain, the US or Israel.
He said that Syrians won’t disagree on these points which should be agreed upon in Geneva 2, stressing that dialogue must be among Syrians without preconditions, and that countries must stop funding, arming and supporting terrorism, otherwise they will be punished as per international law and Security Council resolutions.
Other than Deputy Minister Mikdad, the Syrian delegation currently visiting Russia comprises Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban and Advisor to the Foreign and Expatriates Minister Ahmad Arnous.
Al-Hilal to Jordanian delegation: Syria will have victory over terrorism
Nov 19, 2013
Nov 19, 2013
Damascus, (SANA) – Assistant Regional Secretary of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party, Hilal al-Hilal, discussed with a delegation from the Jordanian Writers Association and a number of the Jordanian Popular Front for Supporting Syria means of consolidating communication among the popular activities in Syria and Jordan.
Al-Hilal reviewed the latest developments in Syria and the role of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party and other national forces and parties in beefing up the steadfastness of the Syrian Arab people in confronting the armed terrorist groups, stressing that the will of the people and the Syrian Arab army will win over the terrorism which is backed by the colonialist countries and their allies.
Members of the delegation stressed that Syria is fighting on behalf of all Arabs and its victory is the Arab nationalist project’s victory, adding that the Jordanian people have now become more aware of the reality of conspiracy which is hatched against the whole nation through hitting its beating heart, Syria.
