Prime Minister says government is grappling with major challenges due to terrorism

DAMASCUS – Prime Minister Dr. Wael al-Halqi hailed the role of national media, side by side with the army and armed forces, in confronting war against Syria and the slander campaigns targeting it.

Speaking to a congregation of Syrian journalists, al-Zoubi said national media, by dint of its credibility and commitment to national principles, has managed to stand up to a massive media warfare by international outlets which lavished sizable sums to distort facts about the situation in Syria.

 “Government and media are partners in decision-making and drafting policies,” he said.

Al-Halqi said the government is grappling with daily challenges to provide oil products and basic services for citizens, blaming the terrorists targeting of infrastructure and an economic blockade for worsening services and acquitting the government of responsibility in this regard, denying that the government is ineffective or not doing enough, SANA reported.

The government, he said, has devised “emergency and future” plans, along with a string of anti-corruption measures, to improve the living conditions for citizens.

In remarks about a pressing issue of migration, the Premier said it is “an organized political scheme with deep strategic dimensions” to deplete Syria’s qualified cadres and resources.

He affirmed that an amount of 984 billion SYP was allocated for social support in 2015, which means nearly 44% of state general budget.

Al-Halqi added that the government has signed a number of contracts to buy 200 buses, 50 of them have reached and the remaining will arrive in country during the coming months.

The Syrian government is responsible for 70 per cent of relief aid in comparison to 30 percent provided by international organizations, al-Halqi added.

Al-Halqi said a sharp drop in oil production from 360 thousand barrels a day prior to the crisis to 9300 barrels has incapacitated the oil sector that used to make up for 33 per cent of the state’s budget.

The Premier gave a grim appraisal of the education sector under the crisis which he said suffered big losses as 5 thousand schools out of 22 thousands are now dysfunctional.

“Some 475 industrial facilities have started to function recently,” he added.

Answering a question about the current exchange rate, al-Halqi said the government’s intervention had helped keep it at acceptable levels at a time when “Syria’s enemies” wagered on the dollar skyrocketing against the Syrian pound.”