Al-Moallem: Syria Fighting Terrorism in Parallel with Political Process

Local Editor

Serian Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem discussed Thursday with the Chinese Special Envoy for Syria, Ambassador Xie Xiaoyan the regional developments and the crisis in Syria and means to find a solution that preserves the interests of the Syrian people and their right to an independent decision and their country's sovereignty.

Minister al-Moallem affirmed that the people and government of Syria continue combating the terrorist organizations which are constantly supported by some countries, such as Turkey, being offered passage for terrorists and provided with advanced weapons to open new fronts in the fight.

This continued support requires that an international stand be taken to the effect of respecting the Security Council resolutions related to combating terrorism, he added.

Al-Moallem clarified to the Chinese envoy that Syria provides aid to its people basically because it considers it its duty to assist them, affirming that the Syrian government's position is to continue the war against Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the Takfiri "ISIS"], al-Nusra Front and the other terrorist groups while it goes on with the political process in Geneva.

He referred to the recently uncovered stance of the "Riyadh opposition" delegation "which wanted to sabotage Geneva talks, and it was clear that it rather prefers military escalation."

For his part, the Chinese envoy said his country affirms its stance which calls for restoring security and stability to Syria and supports the intra-Syrian dialogue to solve the crisis and the Syrian people's right to choose what they see fit to preserve the unity of their country, in addition to standing against interference in their internal affairs.

Ambassador Xie Xiaoyan added that China appreciates the Syrian government's positive achievements of securing aid to its people in many areas around the country, stressing that China would continue supporting Syria until safety and stability are restored to it.

China appointed its first special envoy for Syria on March 29. Xie Xiaoyan met Bashar al-Jaafari, head of the Syrian Arab Republic' delegation to Geneva talks two days ago and both sides discussed the process for the political settlement of the crisis in Syria and potential mechanisms for overcoming the obstacles that hinder dialogue andfor achieving tangible results in the current round of dialogue.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team