Minister Al-Moallem : readiness for cooperation and coordination as to combating terrorism

DAMASCUS, (ST)_ Syria does welcome UNSC resolution 2170 and is fully committed to it, Walid Al-Moallem, Deputy Premier and Minister of Expatriates and Foreign Affairs declared here today.

Minister Al-Moallem added in a press conference at the Foreign Ministry headquarters that Syria hopes all countries would be committed to the chapter 7 resolution as to combat terrorism and stop its proliferation.

Minister Al-Moallem underlined the dire need for a serious commitment by all countries to the implementation of the said resolution, particularly the neighboring countries, citing  the negative roles played by Turkey and Qatar.

“Syria is ready and willing for cooperation and coordination at the regional and international levels in the field of combating terrorism,” said Minister Al-Moallem.

The veteran Minster underscored that any effort to combat the terrorism of DAESH (ISIS), Al-Nusra  in Syria should be in coordination with the Syrian Government, asserting that the combating of terrorism would be the priority for Syrian diplomacy in the forthcoming phase.

Minister Al-Moallem outlined that Syria, ever ready and open for cooperation and coordination,  is in waiting for a serious and tangible turning point by the West in deeds and not only in words as to combat terrorism.

The deputy premier Al-Moallem condemned in the strongest forms the barbaric beheading of the US journalist , James Foley, by DAESH terrorists and welcomed the recent setting free of the American journalist, Peter Theo Curtis.

In reply to a question, Minister Al-Moallem pointed out to the ongoing coordination between Syria, Russia and Iran in the field of combating terrorism citing the viewpoints were identical between him and minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia in  his today’s phone conversation.

“He who kills any Syrian, be civilian or military, is but a terrorist.” Minister Al-Moallem said in reply to a question regarding US classification of terrorists into “moderates” or not “moderates”.

In reply to another question, Minister Al-Moallem asserted that the political solution for the ongoing crisis is through dialogue among Syrians on the Syrian territories in full respect for the sovereignty of Syria and will of the Syrians as reflected in the recently concluded presidential elections.

UNSC Resolution 2170, under the binding Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, Calls on all United Nations Member States to act to suppress the flow of foreign fighters, financing and other support to Islamist extremist groups in Iraq and Syria, , calls on Member States to take national measures to prevent fighters from travelling from their soil to join the groups, reiterating obligations under previous counter-terrorism resolutions to prevent the movement of terrorists, as well as their supply with arms or financial support.

Through the resolution, the Council demanded that DAESH ( ISIL), Al-Nusra Front and all other entities associated with Al-Qaida cease all violence and terrorist acts, and immediately disarm and disband. 

Dr. Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim