Al-Moallem: We will do our utmost to ensure Geneva 2 will produce results to the delight of Syrian people

Damascus, (ST) – “as Syria has a clear vision based on the Syrian people’s aspirations and fully adhered to President Bashar Al-Assad’s directives, it[Syria] seeks to make the Geneva 2 conference a success, “underscored Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem.

 Al Moallem’s remark was made during a meeting on Sunday with participants in the “Media of Resistance against War on Syria” forum where  Information Minister Omran al-Zou’bi was there.

Al-Moallem made it clear  that if Geneva 2 isn’t held on  time, then the United States must be asked why it failed to form a delegation from the “opposition”.

Combatting terrorism a priority

“foremost, Syria – during the conference -will pose  the matter of combating terrorism. Every patriotic Syrian must work to halt  terrorism and call upon the countries that bankrolling and arming  terrorism to stop  such  support. Actually, fighting  combating terrorism will eventually lead to a political solution, “underlined al-Moallem.

Fruitful results

Al-Moallem further affirmed  that Syria will do its utmost to ensure that Geneva 2 will produce results to the delight of  the Syrian people, adding that the final decision will be made by the Syrian people and that no force on Earth can compel Syria to negotiate its national sovereignty.

Delusional

“those who think[ “opposition” ] that they’re going to “Geneva 2” to seize power are delusional. We are going to meet those in the “opposition “who reject interference in Syria’s internal affairs, reject terrorism, and work for making  the future Syria, “asserted al-Moallem.

 “Our political decisions are independent and based on the Syrian people’s interests which are sacred to us,” he added.

If

On the Syrian state’s plan if the conference fails, al-Moallem said that state has a political plan and a national conference will be held in Syria in conjunction with the Syrian Army’s ongoing work to carry out its constitutional duties of defending the Syrian people and eradicating terrorism.

Inter-Syrian dialogue

Replying  to a question on what the Syrian government will offer at the conference and what it will take from it, al-Moallem said that there will be no bargains in Geneva, and that the dialogue will be among Syrians and led by Syria.

“If we set the interest of the Syrian people and the country as our goal, then we don’t need settlements in the style of deals,” he explained, saying that the goal is to reach a roadmap for the future with the Syrians participating in the conference which the Syrian people will agree to.

Russia

Asked about  Russia’s stance  regarding Geneva 2, al-Moallem replied:” Russia affirms that combating terrorism is a priority, because a political solution cannot be achieved without combating terrorism and forcing the countries supporting it to cease funding and arming terrorists.Hence, Syria demands that Security Council and international legitimacy resolutions on counter-terrorism be applied .

Iran

“it is illogical to exclude Iran from attending the Geneva 2 conference upon the request of the US and some of its allies, “affirmed al-Moallem.

Media plan

As for the  media plan to cover Geneva 2, al-Moallem said a Syrian delegation will handle this task, adding that Russia and the US agreed that UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi will be the conference’s spokesperson.

Changes

On how the shifts in the political landscape, particularly after the agreement between Iran and the P5+1, will affect regional issues including the Syrian issue, al-Moallem said that the agreement between Iran and the P5+1 was a victory for Iran and resistance in all directions, saying that had it not been for the steadfastness of the Syrian Army, people and leadership in the face of the US-led international aggression, the West wouldn’t have sought the agreement with Iran.

French’s mandate gone with the wind

“France sells political positions in exchange for deals, and that this is the secret behind its relations with Saudi Arabia and Arab Gulf countries, “said al-Moallem in response to a question on France’s hardline attitude towards Syria.

The Foreign Minister further explained that the French President Francois Hollande, whose popularity dropped to less than 20%, doesn’t read history; otherwise he would have realized that the French mandate on Syria is gone and will never return and that the Syrian people alone have the right to choose their leadership, government and political future.

The Arab World

On Syria’s relationship with the Arab world, al-Moallem said that Syria never abandoned the  Arab world , as Syria is the beating heart of Arabism; rather the Arab milieu was the one who abandoned Syria, noting that the Arab people continue to support Syria. He also saluted the Iraqi people and army who are combating terrorism in al-Anbar province.

No Coordination

On whether there is coordination between the Syrian and Egyptian armies, al-Moallem said that there is no such coordination, noting that the US-led conspiracy against Syria employs various pawns on the ground including the Muslim Brotherhood, but despite that, the Egyptian Army’s battle against the Muslim Brotherhood’s terrorism its own battle and there’s no foreign interference in it.

Duality

Regarding the reports that the US’s  pressuring its allies to cease their support for terrorism and sending terrorists into Syria, al-Moallem said that US positions in this regard are characterized by their duality, as on one hand they talk about combating terrorism, with them suffering from terrorism in New York and going to Afghanistan to fight it, and on the other hand they secretly support terrorists and provide them with funds and weapons.

 “Terrorism has no home and knows no borders… there must be coordination among all countries to combat it,” he asserted.

Reclaiming Arabism

On Syria’s vision on what will happen after the end of aggression which the Arab League took part in, al-Moallem said that the Arab League in its current state is a disgrace to Arabs, therefore Syria is proud that it’s not a member in it, and after the crisis Syria will work to reclaim the Arabism of the Arab League.

Bahrain

On Bahrain, al-Moallem noted that Syria tried to mediate a resolution of the situation in Bahrain in the past, and the two sides of the issue agreed to this mediation, but afterwards Syria was surprised by the hostile attitudes of the rules of Bahrain, which is why Syria ceased its initiative in this regard, adding that Syria supports the Bahraini people in their efforts to claim their rights.

Turkey

On some statements that suggest a shift in the Turkish position, al-Moallem said that part of what is currently happening in Turkey is because of the position taken by  Erdogan’s government which adopted a policy of supporting terrorism since the crisis in Syria began,  adding that it’s still too early to assess the developments in Turkey and deduce what they will lead to.

M.D