Syria’s political decision backs positive efforts, says al-Zou’bi

DAMASCUS,(ST)_ Syrian initiative has been based, since the very beginning of the crisis, on  a political solution and on the launching of a comprehensive national dialogue in which everyone takes part, says Omran al-Zou’bi, Information Minister.

In an interview with the Lebanese al-Manar TV Channel on Monday, the minister said the Syrian government has welcomed the result of the US Secretary of State John Kerry’s talks in Moscow with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on May 7,2013  as to find a political solution to the crisis.

“The Syrian government expressed ‘cautious optimism’ over the US-Russian accord as there must be further steps and discussion in details… We need to know whether this accord for the US and its allies is a sole option behind closed doors and in public,” al-Zou’bi said.

Political developments

He clarified that political and military developments, including Israel’s strike on sites in Syria and Turkey’s al-Rayhaniya Blasts as well as the rush of Turkish officials to accuse Syria for the blasts, have something to do with the political solution and the US-Russian meeting.

“These developments raise a question about the role of Turkey, Qatar and others in political solution…are they ready to lose their weapons and money without notching up their goals, which are in their dreams, including toppling Syrian state and stance,” the minister added.

He underscored that the Arab and regional tools are not decision-makers.

International conference

As for Syria’s participation in the international conference which the US and Russia agreed to hold, al-Zou’bi said that the participation is conditional upon having information about details and developments.

He stressed that Syria’s ‘clear and obvious’ political decision is based on backing positive international efforts to bring about political solution to the crisis and at the same time fighting terrorism.

“Syria will never take part in any political meeting that directly or indirectly impinges on national sovereignty.”

“The question of the president and constitution comes within the principle of national sovereignty….only Syrian people have the right to make decision in this regard.”

“Our national project, as a government, is clear…we want a democratic, free, and sovereign country. The Syrian people do not accept any part of their country to be outside the national sovereignty,” he added.

Syrian Arab army’s policy

On the other hand, the minister asserted that the Syrian Arab army has not lost the initiative on the ground.

“When the army blockades an area, it addresses armed terrorists groups to lay down their weapons and avoid damaging residential areas….Actually, the existence of gunmen in some residential areas prevents the army from carrying out large-scale operations.”

Al-Zou’bi noted that 150 gunmen, in Damascus countryside, have turned themselves in and handed over their weapons, calling on all gunmen to lay down their weapons and give up the idea of confronting state.

The minister appealed to foreign gunmen, who came from other states to Syria, to leave the country with their weapons because they will be eliminated by the Syrian Arab army.

Basma Qaddour