Al-Mikdad: War and sanctions have affected Syria’s ability to confront the earthquake disaster

Damascus, (ST) –  Dr. Faisal Al-Mikdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, met today with an Iranian parliamentary delegation led by Abbas Kalro, Vice President of the Iranian-Syrian Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Iranian Islamic Shura Council, and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, Al-Mikdad expressed Syria’s appreciation over Iran’s solidarity during the earthquake ordeal. He pointed out that immediately after the earthquake occurred, Iran sent planes and relief teams to Syria.

Al-Mikdad praised the close cooperation between the two countries.

He explained the impacts of the terrorist war that Syria faced and the destruction left by terrorist groups on the country’s ability to confront such a humanitarian catastrophe. He also referred to the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria that impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid, equipment and requirements for search and rescue.

In turn, Kalro offered his condolences and those of the Iranian Shura Council to the families of the earthquake victims, which killed and injured thousands of people.

He stressed that his country stands by Syria to recover from the effects of this humanitarian catastrophe.

Raghda Sawas