President Al-Assad to Brahimi: Only the Syrians Have the Right to Draw Up Syria’s Future

DAMASCUS, (ST) – President Bashar al-Assad has affirmed that the success of any political solution must be associated with halting the support provided to terrorist groups and with pressuring the countries which sponsor theses groups, facilitate the entry of terrorists and mercenaries into Syria and supply them with arms, money and logistic aid.

 President Al-Assad was speaking to the UN Syria Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi during a meeting on Wednesday. He was briefed by Brahimi on the results of his tour in a number of countries in the region within the framework of the ongoing preparations to hold the International Conference on Syria in Geneva.

“Halting support for terrorists and pressuring terrorism-sponsoring countries are major steps to create a suitable environment for dialogue,” said President Al-Assad.

He reiterated that the Syrian people are the only party which has the right to draw up Syria’s future and that any solution to be attained or agreed on must enjoy the acceptance of the Syrians and must embody their aspirations away from any form of foreign interference.

For his part, Brahimi said that the efforts exerted to hold Geneva 2 conference focus on how to provide the opportunity for the Syrians themselves to meet, talk and agree on solving the crisis as soon as possible and to draw an image of Syria’s future.

The meeting was attended by Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban, and Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Faisal Mikdad. 

H. Mustafa