Al-Lahham: No International, Regional Will to Fight Terrorism

TEHRAN, (ST)-Speaker of the People’s Assembly (PA) Mohammad Jihad al-Lahham has stressed that there has been no true international or regional will to fight terrorism yet.

Al-Lahham was speaking during a press conference held jointly with speaker of the Iranian Shura Council (Parliament) Ali Larijani following their meeting on Monday.

 Al-Lahham said “fighting terrorism is done only in the media despite the unanimous issuance of several Security Council resolutions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter on fighting terrorism and on halting the arming and financing of terrorists.”

“We will spare no effort to fight terrorism in Syria depending on the resistance of our people, the bravery of our army and the wisdom of our leadership as well as the support of our friends with Iran at the top of the list,” al-Lahham added.

He pointed out that his visit to Iran aims at holding more consultations and coordination with Iranian officials regarding the developments in the region, particularly the threat of foreign-backed takfiri terrorism and extremism in Syria and Iraq.

On his part, Larijani said that the steadfast Syrian people have succeeded in foiling the conspiracy they are being exposed to and that they are able to achieve victory.

 Fighting terrorism in Syria or Iraq useful to the future of humanity

He affirmed that fighting terrorism in Syria or Iraq is useful to the future of humanity, because the threat of terrorism is not confined only to a certain country, but it has become a serious danger threatening the entire world.

 Earlier in the day, al-Lahham and Larijani discussed parliamentary cooperation as to face the dangers and challenges facing Syria and the entire region, particularly the takfiri terrorism and extremism which has been expanding with the help of unlimited regional and international support.

Al-Lahham warned of the recent escalation of terrorist acts and aggression against the Syrian people with a flagrant support by western countries, some well-known Arab regimes and some neighboring states.

“The Syrian people, leadership and army have fought steadfastly for more than four years against cross-border terrorism and against the killing and destruction machine. They will keep fighting terrorism across the country until security and stability is restored to the homeland and will also keep seeking reconciliation and national dialogue among the Syrians,” al-Lahham said.

He urged mobilizing all efforts to confront takfiri terrorism, put an end to supporting terrorists with arms and money and prevent the terrorists’ flow into the Syrian lands in accordance with related Security Council resolutions.

Supporting steadfastness of the Syrian people against terrorism enhances axis of resistance

The PA Speaker talked about the suffering caused to the Syrian people and to other peoples of the region because of the repercussions of the terrorist acts. He also focused on the sacrifices offered by the Syrian Arab Army in defense of the homeland, stressing that “supporting the steadfastness of the Syrian people in the face of terrorism and the unjust economic sanctions, enhances the axis of resistance and foils the conspiracies targeting the region and its identity and civilization.”

He added that parliaments can play an important and influential role in providing necessary support within the framework of fighting the terrorism and extremism whose bad impacts will hit back in the countries which support terrorism.

Al-Lahham affirmed that the US-led international coalition, allegedly established to fight the terrorist organization calling itself the Islamic State (ISIS), aims to divert the world public opinion from the terrorist and criminal acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist takfiri groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen to destabilize these counties in the service of the American-Zionist scheme which aims at dividing and fragmenting the region and steal its resources.

He warned that the systematic takfiri terrorism which targets all categories of people seek ethnic cleansing, displacement of people and systematic destruction of cultures and civilizations.

Deterrent laws against terrorism needed

“Helping the terrorists achieve political goals endangers world peace and security, so decisive action against terrorism is a must,” al-Lahham said, pointing out that parliaments need to issue deterrent laws against terrorism and extremism as well as the recruitment and financing of terrorists in order to eliminate the takfiri terrorism which has no geographical limits.

Al-Lahham thanked the leadership, government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran for their supportive stance towards Syria in the confrontation of the ongoing terrorist war.

On his part, Larijani affirmed that Iran will spare no effort to keep its unlimited support for Syria in the confrontation of the takfiri terrorism which poses serious threat to the region and the world.

“The latest terrorist escalation against Syria is connected to the developments on the regional arena particularly in Yemen and Iraq and to the victories achieved by the Syrian Arab Army and resistance on terrorism at several fronts in Syria,” Larijani said.

Iran to continue political and economic support for Syria

The Iranian official added that “We in Iran are following up developments in Syria and the region and we won’t allow anyone to harm Syria’s sovereignty and independence or interfere in its affairs. We will continue our political and economic support for Syria to enhance the steadfastness of the Syrian people who are fighting international terrorism on behalf of the entire world.

Hamda Mustafa