Haidar Affirms Need to Develop Clear International Anti-Terrorism Policy

 DAMASCUS, (ST)-There is a need to develop a clear international anti-terrorism policy aiming to support reconciliation and dialogue efforts in Syria, particularly after the world has unanimously acknowledged the presence and danger of terrorism, Minister of State for Reconciliation Affairs Ali Haidar has stressed.

Haidar, who was speaking yesterday during a meeting with Director of the office of the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, said “the Europeans should realize Syria’s deeply rooted history, civilization and culture and know that Syria’s strength enhances that of Europe.”

The minister referred to a plan to prepare an objective environment that paves the way for dialogue, affirming the need to engage all components of the Syrian society in the reconciliation process. 

He hailed coordination between the Ministry and the UN officials to protect reconciliation cases and avoid setbacks.

On his part, Griffiths asserted the importance of drawing up a future work mechanism to deal with the reconciliations and the political process in Syria.

Following the meeting, Haidar told reporters that “combating terrorism is a top priority for Syria and the international community so there is a need to put mechanisms for joint action against terrorism.” He pointed out that there are many points of agreement and cooperation between Syria and the United Nations on the issue of terrorism fighting away from intervention in Syria’s internal affairs.

“National reconciliation is a good introduction to solve the crisis in Syria and lay the foundation of national dialogue among the Syrians,” Haidar stressed.

Within the same contest, Haidar yesterday met members of the Central Committee for Popular Reconciliation to discuss means to benefit from civil and popular initiatives for reconciliation because “there is a new international environment acknowledging that the solution in Syria can only be attained through terrorism fighting, national reconciliation and dialogue.

Hamda Mustafa