Cabinet discusses preparations for winter

DAMASCUS – The Cabinet discussed on Tuesday a number of services and economic issues, including the preparations of services establishments for winter and securing supplies and petroleum products.

Chairing the weekly session, Prime Minister Wael al-Halaqi offered condolences to the people and leadership of Russia over the victims of the recent airplane disaster, as well as offering condolences over the passing of journalist Batoul Moukhles al-Warar who was killed by shells fired by terrorists on Harasta suburb today, SANA reported.

 Al-Halaqi said the government is devising economic and development strategies that help provide new job opportunities and reduce unemployment, in addition to calling on ministries to improve waste disposal services and prevent infringements upon the power grid.

In turn, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem reviewed the latest political developments on the international arena, saying that the pace of political activity towards reaching a political solution for the crisis in Syria has increased during the past week.

Al-Moallem asserted that such a solution will be devised by Syrians away from foreign dictations, and that progress in combating terrorism will open the door to the political solution.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs, Local Administration Minister Omar Ghalawanji said that boosting the strategic reserves of fuel and gas will improve the services sector, and that the health sector is ready to deal with winter diseases, particularly flu.

Regarding flu, Health Minister Nizar Yazigi said that a few cases were diagnosed in Hama, Lattakia, and Tartous provinces, and that all patients diagnosed with flu are receiving treatment and recovering.