Idleb to be Liberated from Terrorism Either though Reconciliation or Military Operation: al-Moallem

The international community should acknowledge that Idleb is a Syrian land and it is the right of the Syrian state to restore all its territories, Syrian Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem says

MOSCOW, (ST)- Deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Walid al-Moallem has affirmed that the Syrian city of Idleb will be liberated from terrorism through reconciliation or military operation.

 “The liberation of the Syrian city of Idleb from terrorism is a priority either through reconciliation, which we prefer, or military action”, all-Moallem said in an interview with “Russia Today” Channel, pointing out that the international community should acknowledge that Idleb is a Syrian land and it is the right of the Syrian state to restore all its territories.

Al-Moallem added that “Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization in Idleb is blacklisted in accordance with the Security Council resolutions and that Syria and its friends are unanimous in the need to liberate the city.”

 He clarified that “in order to avoid the danger of military action on civilians, a humanitarian corridor was opened at Abu al-Duhur airbase through which hundreds of Syrian families, which came from Idleb could reach areas controlled by the Syrian army,”.

“The armed groups which seek settlement must announce their stance and implement their commitments towards the reconciliation process and this is something we hope to be done,” he clarified.

On reports about preparing an alleged chemical attack in Idleb by the so-called “White Helmets” group, al-Mollaem said “the white helmets has kidnapped tens of children and stared to transmit, through websites, fabricated testimonies for the group’s members. In addition, several containers with Chlorine gas inside were smuggled into some areas in Idleb controlled by the white helmets through Jabhat al-Nusra in cooperation with the British intelligence in order to prepare a false flag that is to be shown in the media after the start of a military operation in Idleb.”

US military presence in Syria is illegal

Al-Moallem went on to say that preparing a tripartite aggression against Syria under the pretext of the use of chemical weapon is not something new. “The United States attacked Syria’s al-Shu’ayrat airbase under the pretext that chemical weapon was used in Khan Sheikhous town of Idleb countryside. Also, a tripartite aggression was launched against Syrian last April over allegations that chemical weapons was used in Duma of Damascus Countryside even before international investigators started their work, al-Moallem made it clear.

“This is an attempt to throw dust in the eyes of the international community,” said al-Moallem, noting that nobody believe such narratives, particularly after “Israel” has evacuated a number of white helmets members from  the southern Syrian provinces and moved them to Jordan and after the West has admitted that it is sponsoring and funding this group.

Elsewhere in the interview, al-Moallem reaffirmed that the US military presence in Syria is illegal and it goes contrary to the interests of the Syrian people. He said the Syrian government strongly rejects this presence, noting that theAmerican administration is dedicated for serving “Israel’s” interest and implementing Israel’s policy in the region.

Al-Moallem denied any Syrian meetings with representatives of the US administration.

He said the United States, since 2011, has supported Daesh and supplied Jabhat al-Nusra with weapons and now it is preparing a tripartite aggression under the pretext of using chemical weapons. This is part of its support for Daesh and a bid to prolong the crisis in Syria.

Gulf states implement Washington’s orders

The Syrian top diplomat went on to say that the Gulf states can’t make their own decisions. They implement Washington’s dictates and finance the US illegal military presence in Syria.

Al-Moallem pointed out that Syria welcomes any Arab country which is willing to resume its relations with Syria.

He reiterated that the Syrian-Iranian relations are deep, strategic and nonnegotiable and that the Russian-Turkish understanding is important, stressing that Syria doesn’t seek confrontation with Turkey and that the Turks should realize that Idleb province and other Syrian lands are subject to the Syrian sovereignty.

Syria Reconstruction

On reconstruction process , al-Moallem said that reconstruction in Syrian has started by the Syrian government’s efforts and funding, adding that this process also needs foreign expertise and funding “and this  is available in friendly countries like Russia, Iran, India, Malayzia, China and Brazil.”

Political settlement

Regarding efforts exerted to reach political settlement of the crisis in Syria within the political processes in Geneva, Astana and Sochi, al-Moallem said “each has its role in political settlement. Astana process organized  the de-escalation zones, while Sochi process played a role in holding the national Syrian dialogue which has been a key turning point of great benefit to the process in Geneva which unfortunately has achieved no progress because it is still under western pressure.  

Israeli threats

In addition, al-Moallem said that the Israeli threats to Syria continue and they are not new as “Israel”  has attacked several Syrian areas. “We will retaliate and we are now retaliating by hitting Israel’s terrorist tools in Syria,” al-Maolem underscored, clarifying that what happened in the Syrian southern provinces- Quneitra, Daraa and Sweida- will happen in other areas.

Americans are famous for Turning their backs on allies

Answering a question on dialogue with the Syrian Kurds, al-Moallem said “the Kurds are part of the Syrian fabric. Whatever the US promises are, the Kurds have to revise their experience over more than one hundred years in depending on powerful countries which later left them.”   

He said that the “Syrian government is ready to continue dialogue with the Syrian Kurds away from foreign interference.”

“The bet on the Americans is an illusion, because they (Americans) are famous for turning their backs on their allies. The real bet is on the homeland, Syria, which is determined to restore all its lands including the areas to the East of the Euphrates..Syria won’t allow separation or federalism,” al-Moallem clarified.

Syrian government calls on displaced Syrians to Return Home

The top diplomat renewed the Syrian government’s call on all the displaced Syrians abroad to return to their homeland. He said “their return is welcomed and needed. It serves Syria’s interest as they can contribute to the reconstruction programs as a working force.”

  

Hamda Mustafa