US, Allies to Withdraw From Syria Only If Presence Harms Own Interests- Diplomat

MOSCOW- The US and its allies will withdraw their troops from Syria only in case if their continued presence harms their own interests, Syria’s ambassador to China and former ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, told Sputnik, commenting on Vladimir Putin’s urge for foreign armed forces to pull out of the Arab Republic.

“This question presupposes the goodwill of the US and its allies … I believe the only way to convince the US and its allies to withdraw is to demonstrate to them that their continued presence will be detrimental to their own interests,” Moustapha said, according to Sputnik.

 The diplomat noted that the United States’ recent history never provided a single instance of goodwill or desire for constructive engagement with others.

“Their withdrawal from Syria is a requirement not contingent on any other circumstance. They have actually abetted the terrorist groups and helped further undermine the Syrian government’s efforts to fight against the most radical of these groups,” Moustapha noted.

The diplomat highlighted that when the majority of terrorist groups are either defeated or evacuated to the northern parts of Syria, more serious efforts can focus on the political process.

H.M