Ryabkov Stresses Need to Eradicate Terrorism Threatening the Entire Region
DAMASCUS- Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister has warned against the huge wave of terrorism plaguing the Middle East and threatening the state foundations of many countries in the region, stressing the need to fight and eradicate this unjustified phenomenon.
Ryabkov, who was speaking to journalists in a press conference in Damascus on Saturday, reiterated Russia’s rejection of terrorism targeting the entire region, affirming that Syria and Russia are working keenly to confront the serious challenges and to find solutions to the many problems, particularly in the area of security.
He called for unifying efforts and adopting a strong stance against terrorism, urging the United States and its allies to make serious steps fighting the terrorism endangering the entire world.
“The authorities in the United States and Europe must specify their priorities and principles in their policies in Iraq and Syria,” Ryabkov said.
He called on financiers of the so-called “Islamic States in Iraq and Levant (ISIL)” terrorist organization to “stop dealing with terrorism and stop seeking the destabilization of the region’s states which have already had many problems.”
He stressed that “Russia won’t stand doing nothing about the terrorist groups’ attempts to disseminate terrorism in Syria and Iraq and other counties of the region…This must be stopped.”
Ryabkov pointed out that “there is no way to solve all the problems currently facing Iraq except through national dialogue a way from any foreign intervention.”
Concerning the US intention to provide financial support for the so-called “moderate opposition’ in Syria, Ryabkov said the solution to the problems facing Syria can be attained through national dialogue and reconciliation not by supporting terrorism.
“Our American partners don’t benefit from past tragic experiences and they keep backing extremists and terrorists. The United States must show a responsible stance regarding the settlement of the crisis in Syria,” Ryabov added.
On the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons, the Russian diplomat said the Syrian government showed high sense of commitment and great openness towards this issue. The process was completed successfully and on time, he added.
Regarding the need to pressure Israel to destroy its nuclear weapons, Ryabkov said “it is time for Israel to madopt a responsible stance and join the Chemical Weapons Convention,” clarifying that Russia is working with the international community to make the Middle East a nuclear weapon-free zone.
H. Mustafa