Al-Mikdad to US Peace Council: The American People Need to Know What is Really Going on in Syria

 DAMASCUS- A delegation representing the US Peace Council, led by Henry Lowendorf,  is visiting Syria to voice solidarity with the Syrian people in the face of the terrorist war and to know about developments of the situation in the country. The delegation had the opportunity to meet a number of ministers and officials to know about the reality of events and to be briefed about the Syrian people’s needs under the crisis.

 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Fayssal al-Mikdad met members of the US Peace Council delegation and briefed them on the situation in Syria and the terrorist war waged against it with a direct support by some Western countries and states in the region, affirming the need to convey the true image of what is happening in Syria to the US people, according to the State News Agency SANA.

 Al-Mikdad explained the Syrian government’s vision to resolve the crisis in Syria politically based on realizing the desire of the Syrian people in restoring security and stability across Syria, stressing that the Syrian government’s decision is to continue working to find a peaceful solution to the crisis along with fighting against terrorism.

He hoped that the international community will play an important role in combating terrorism in Syria and stopping foreign support for terrorism which will lead to ending the crisis in Syria and achieve peace for the Syrians.

On his part, head of the delegation stressed the delegation’s keenness to be informed about the real situation in Syria, particularly relating to the US interference, affirming that the Syrian people and leadership have the right to fight terrorism and that the international community needs to offer all possible support for Syria in the face of this unjust war.

Commenting on the recent Russian-US talks, Mikdad said in a press statement he wished that these talks would be conducted within the framework of the fight against terrorism and contribute to stopping the Turkish intervention in the internal affairs of Syria through closing the Turkish borders.

Gerry Condon, member of the delegation, pointed out that the delegation comprises a number of peace groups as he represents a US Army Veteran group who rejects the US policy towards Syria, adding that their visit aims at supporting Syria.

Lowendorf: Economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian people should be Lifted

During his meeting with health Minister Nizar Yazigi, head of the US Peace Council delegation Henry Lowendorf affirmed the importance of lifting the economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian people, especially on the health sector, which have negatively affected the lives of the Syrians, considering that “these sanctions are immoral”.

Lowendorf pointed out that the delegation seeks to provide medicines, mainly for cancer patients to alleviate the suffering of the Syrians due to the unfair blockade which is imposed on them.

On his part, Yazigi said that the coercive, unilateral and unfair procedures imposed on the Syrian people have left a negative impact on the health sector, pointing to the damage sustained by the health sector as a result of being targeted by the armed terrorist organizations, especially hospitals, health centers and the ambulance system, SANA reported.

Yazigi affirmed that the ministry is keen on enhancing cooperation with all organizations and local associations to deliver health care services for affected people through health centers, medical and mobile clinics, particularly in the affected areas where health centers are out of service.

US delegation hails Syrian government’s reconciliation efforts

In a relevant context, Minister of State for National Reconciliation Affairs Ali Haidar met the US delegation.

During the meeting, Haidar stressed the importance of local reconciliations along with the fight against terrorism to maintain Syrian sovereignty, noting that reconciliations formed a gate that allowed the return of many of the gunmen who turned themselves in and had their legal status settled after they have been used as tools in the project of spreading chaos at the beginning of the crisis in Syria.

The minister pointed out that the main obstacle facing the reconciliation project is the will of Western countries who are seeking to derail peace efforts exerted by the Syrian government, adding that the international community is using the humanitarian issue at international forums for its own advantage while it provides less than 20% of the humanitarian assistance.

In a press statement following the meeting, the members of the delegation expressed the importance of this visit to have a close look at the situation in Syria.

In turn, head of the delegation hailed the exerted efforts to accomplish the local reconciliations and the efforts of the Syrian government to bring the Syrians together, adding that the delegation members came to the conclusion that what is happening in Syria is an aggression waged on it.

 Minister of Local Administration Hussein Makhlouf also met members of the US delegation and stressed to them that the government is committed to meet the basic needs of the displaced people in various areas contrary to the misleading image that the Western media tries to convey to the world.

Makhlouf added that Syria, which provides the basic needs to all citizens, like education, health, water services and electricity, has been was an example to be followed by different countries in this field.

Regarding the displaced Syrians abroad and inside the country, Makhlouf said that housing units are built in preparation for the return of the refugees, adding that the government formed a committee for reconstruction and for paying compensations to citizens whose houses were damaged due to the sabotage by the armed terrorist organizations.

 In turn, members of the delegation affirmed that they will convey the image that reflects the reality and facts, which they noticed during their visit to Syria, to the American people and the world, hoping that security will return to Syria.

H.M