Al-Mikdad on South Africa’s National Day: Syria Fighting New Form of Apartheid
DAMASCUS, (ST)-The Syrian state is now fighting a new form of Apartheid embodied by international terrorism and its supporters, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faysal al-Mikdad has said stressing that Syria has no option but to triumph.
Al-Mikdad’s remarks came during a reception held yesterday by Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa in Damascus Sean Benfeldt marking his country’s National Day.
Dr. al-Mikdad affirmed that Syria has supported the people of South Africa in their struggle to win independence and to continue carrying the torch of struggle raised by President Nelson Mandela as to achieve liberation and eliminate apartheid systems wherever they are.
He referred to the support which was provided in the past to the ill-famed apartheid system in South Africa by the same parties who are today claiming they are defending human rights by launching war on humanity.
He pointed out that the Palestinian people are still suffering the atrocities of the Zionist occupation who has been a natural ally to the apartheid system.
“As we are celebrating the victory of the people of South Africa, Syria is launching the same struggle against international terrorism and its supporters in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, France and the United States, thereby writing down a new page of global struggle for freedom, justice, security and stability in all over the world,” Al-Mikdad said.
He added that “all who support and facilitate international terrorism should keep in mind that terrorism won’t only target Syria it will hit back in the countries which have been funding and supporting it.”
“Syria is now fighting a new form of apartheid represented in international terrorism and its supporters and Syria has no option but to triumph in this battle,” al-Mikdad asserted.
On his part, Benfeldt stressed the strong relations between Syria and South Africa and affirmed keenness on enhancing these ties in all domains.
He said that the democracy and freedom achieved in South Africa wouldn’t be attained without the help of the country’s real friends like Syria and other parties in the international community.
The reception was attended by Speaker of the People’s Assembly Mohammad Jihad al-Lahham, Minister of Oil Suleiman Abbas, Economy Minister Humam al-Jazaeri, the Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faysal al-Mikdad, the Governor of Syria’s Central Bank Adeeb Mayala, several deputy ministers, People’s Assembly members, ambassadors and Baath Party officials.
Hamda Mustafa