Fighting Terrorism Top Priority of the Syrian State- Information Minister

DAMASCUS– Information Minister Omran al-Zou’bi has stressed that any change in the political landscape in Syria needs forming a new constitution or at least the amendment of the existing one; a process that must be carried out with the participation of all the Syrians under an expanded unified government.

Al-Zou’bi, who made the remarks during an interview with “Al Mayadeen TV” on Sunday,  affirmed that fighting terrorism is the top priority of the Syrian state, pointing out that those who want to combat terrorism should coordinate with Syria and Russia.

  The battle against ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra and their affiliated groups is open and has nothing to do with the cessation of hostilities agreement, al-Zou’bi said, asserting  that the United States must pressure certain countries to force the armed groups they back to commit to the cessation of hostilities agreement.

He clarified that the Syrian Arab Army will react to any terrorist attack or agreement violation by the terrorist organizations like it did in Aleppo, pointing out that the army seeks achieving more gains after the victories it achieved in Palmyra and al-Qaryatain.

“The Syrian Arab Army is the party which is carrying out military operations on the ground in cooperation with support groups, Russian air force and Iranian military experts,” the minister said.

On Geneva Intra-Syrian dialogue, al-Zoubi said that any progress in the next round of talks in Geneva depends on the decision of the so-called “opposition abroad” to be engaged in the political process and to reach a unified rational political position.

He added that during his visit to Damascus, the UN Special Envoy for Syria will discuss the Intra-Syrian dialogue in Geneva, noting that the answer for the paper of proposals he gave to the Syrian government delegation will take the Syrian national interest into consideration.

Hamda Mustafa