Moscow Seeks Lasting Political Settlement to Crisis in Syria: Russian Ambassador
DAMASCUS- Russian Ambassador in Damascus Alexander Efimov has stressed that his country stands against attempts by some countries, which have lost the battlefield in Syria, to use all diplomatic and financial means to deny the Syrian people’s right to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country.
In an interview with SANA marking Russia’s 29th anniversary of Russia’s National Day, Efimov said that the Russian-Syrian relations are that of “strategic friendship” which has proved to be firm and strong in the face of regional and international challenges, pointing out that Russia has supported Syria in the confrontation of foreign-backed terrorism.
” Russia never deserts friends, especially when they are in trouble . We lent a helping hand to the friendly Syrian people in the most critical moments of its fight to defend the state from foreign-sponsored terrorist threat ,” the Russian Ambassador said, adding that these efforts resulted in restoring the Syrian state’s control on most of its territories with safety turning back gradually to these territories.
According to SANA, Efimov said that Russia is making much effort to achieve a lasting settlement to crisis in Syria through launching a political solution led by the Syrians themselves with UN support and away from foreign intervention, considering that Syrian National Dialogue Congress which was held in Sochi last year represents a step forwards in this regard.
“Russia shares concerns of the Syrian state about the situation inside and around Idleb. We do know that terrorists from “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” control 99% of the area,” he said, adding that the Syrian Arab Army , in cooperation with the Russian Aerospace Forces are conducting the operation to eradicate the terrorism hotbeds there, which turned out to be quiet effective, stressing that the strikes have been launched only against terrorists’ facilities identified as such by intelligent data.
The Russian Ambassador said that the current situation in Idleb is temporary and the final goal is the restoration of sovereignty of the Syrian state in these areas , affirming that “Russia will continue to fight against terrorists despite laments coming from some of our partners.”
Any illegal foreign military presence in Syria should be terminated
Regarding the situation in the Syrian al-Jazira region, Efimov stressed the necessity of ending any illegal foreign military presence in the country, noting that Russia does its best to keep this case in focus of the Security Council.
He indicated that with restoring security and safety over Syria, more new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various fields will occur between Russia and Syria to serve the interests of the two peoples in the two countries.
Efimov pointed out that Syria and Russia will celebrate the 75th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations between the two countries in July in Damascus and Moscow as congratulation cables will be exchanged on different levels between the two countries.