Lavrov Stresses Need to Oust Remaining Terrorists in Syria

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held his annual large press conference on 16 January, having addressed the results of Russian diplomacy in 2018 and touched upon, among other issues, relations with the United States, the European Union, NATO as well as the crisis in Syria, nuclear arms reduction, and the much-hyped Trump-Putin Helsinki summit.

On Syria, Lavrov said, according to Sputnik, that after the US troops withdrawal from the Syrian territories, armaments, territories and military facilities under US control in Syria should be put under “the control of the Syrian government, the Syrian Armed Forces and the Syrian administrative structures, with the understanding that the Kurds should be provided with all necessary conditions”.

He stressed that it is necessary to oust the remaining terrorists in Syria, especially in the vicinity of Idlib province, since militants continue attacking Russia’s Hmeymim base located in the coastal Latakia province.

As Lavrov noted, the situation around Idlib will be on the agenda of the upcoming talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In mid-December, US President Donald Trump announced a decision to bring American troops stationed in Syria back home, having declared “victory” over Daesh, Sputnik said.

According to SANA, The Russian top diplomat said that the terrorists spread in Idleb province, particularly Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization, constitute the major hotbed of terrorism in Syria, as they continue to violate the agreement of the demilitarized zone and target positions of the Syrian Arab Army and neighboring villages and towns, as well as attempting to target the Russian airbase in Hmeimem.

He also stressed importance of preserving Syria’s unity, independence, and sovereignty and restoring areas to the east of the Euphrates to the state’s authority, reiterating that the USA is still occupying parts of al-Tanf area and is completely responsible for the fate of the displaced people at that area.

Lavrov clarified that the USA prevents the delivery of humanitarian aid to those displaced in al-Rakban Camp, pointing out that the UN intends to send a new humanitarian convoy to the area, which makes it a must for Washington to be completely transparent and let the convoy arrive to the displaced and prevent it from being blocked by the terrorists under its protection in al-Tanf area.

H.M