Al-Miqdad: Syria fought global terrorism on behalf of the entire world and paid unprecedented prices

DAMASCUS, Sep.8, (ST)- The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Faisal Al-Miqdad, affirmed that Syria fought global terrorism on behalf of the entire world and paid unprecedented prices from its human, economic and social energies.

He pointed out that despite the plans set by the United Nations to help the victims of terrorism, Syria has not received any support to combat it and to support its victims and their families.

“Syria is subjected to an economic blockade imposed by countries that have supported terrorism or have turned a blind eye to its supporters and financiers,” Al-Miqdad said during the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Victims of Terrorism held on Thursday at the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York.

He went on to say: “ We gather in this conference to evaluate our efforts, performance and our commitment to implementing decisions, plans and strategies endorsed by the United Nations to recognize the rights and needs of victims of terrorism and seek to support them economically, socially and psychologically without discrimination or selectivity.”

He asserted that these meetings have to reflect the practical and fruitful interest of the international community in the victims of terrorism, which continues to destroy and threaten security and stability all over the world.

“Syria was subjected to one of the most violent and most barbaric terrorist attacks, and lost in its war against terrorist organizations -such as ISIS, Al-Nusra Front (Al-Qaeda) and other terrorist organizations- tens of thousands of victims, in addition to the displacement of millions and the destruction of infrastructures and public and private properties… Syria is suffering today from terrible economic losses that no country in the world can bear alone,” the minister added.

“The Syrian people, who have suffered for so long from the crimes of terrorist groups, deserve support from the international community for their rights in sustainable development and early recovery and putting an end to the Western coercive economic measures imposed on them, as well as expelling the illegal foreign forces that continue to support the remnants of terrorism,” Al-Miqdad stated, referring to the fact that the wealth of the Syrian people, including oil, gas, wheat and cotton, is being looted to deprive them of them.

He concluded by saying that respecting and protecting the rights of victims of terrorism must begin by addressing the real causes and factors that led to its spread as a global phenomenon, mainly poverty, hunger, occupation, the use of military force, silence about extremism, and the failure to confront and hold accountable all those who supported it as a weapon against the security, stability and well-being of peoples for political reasons and dishonest agendas.

Basma Qaddour