Syria and Russia denounce plot and insist on political solution

The solution to the crisis that Syria is facing at a crossroads between dialogue and gun violence, said the Syrian information minister, Omran al-Zoubi.

During a press conference with local and accredited foreign media in Damascus, the minister addressed what he called the "plot" of extremist and sectarian groups against their country, which is the tangible manifestation of violence unleashed by armed gangs and mercenaries who receive equal government response.

"There are political, concrete proofs and intelligence that confirm the existence of premeditated plans against Syria," he indicated.

Al-Zoubi talked about government efforts and appeals to the West to stop the supply of arms and money to armed elements and to stop sheltering them, as well as put an end to the provocative media campaign on behalf of those elements and initiate a national dialogue.

In his declarations, the Minister reiterated the crossroads where the solution to the crisis in the Middle Eastern country lies, further indicating that the West tries to ignore this fact, despite efforts by Damascus, Russia, China and other nations who advocate a political solution to the problem.
 
"Today a condition is imposed, that dialogue will occur after security is restored in the country," the minister stressed.

"There is no dialogue with the presence of weapons in the hands of terrorists, as the 'basic' essential element or condition is dialogue to guarantee security and stability," he noted.

The only solution to the Syrian crisis corresponds to the will of the people, he said, and stressed that the Army is committed to the restoration of security and stability throughout the country.

About the media, he wanted to convey that what is transmitted should be "a complete picture of what is happening in Syria and not a unilateral point of view.  Therefore, we demand that all convey the reality," he affirmed.

Syria and Russia denounce plot and insist on political solution. 47929.jpeg

He warned that the journalist cannot become fighter or spy, nor carry weapons or to smuggle money, alluding to foreign correspondents who enter Syria unlawfully and exceed the limits of their professional duty.

Meanwhile, in another interview, the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mikhail Bagdanov, warned on Monday (3rd) that those interested in foreign military intervention in Syria avoid "carrying out madnesses" and stressed the unacceptable nature of such plans.

Bagdanov reiterated that Syria assured him many times that chemical weapons are well guarded and protected, an allusion to the campaign unleashed in the West to situate the possession of such weapons by Damascus as a pretext for a military invasion.

The Deputy Russian Minister meets on Tuesday with the head of the Coalition Forces for Peaceful Change, Fateh Jamus, with whom he will discuss ways to start a political dialogue in Syria.

In this regard, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, said that it was necessary to be guided by what was agreed in the final communiqué adopted by consensus in Geneva last June, and the plan of former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.

In both documents, there is talk of a ceasefire and a political transition period, without foreign interference or conditions such as the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Equally, it is necessary to require both the government and the armed opposition, to end the clashes and appoint representatives for a dialogue. Once at the negotiating table, all other outstanding national issues would be addressed, explained Lavrov.

To impose on the Syrians something about the future of their country is counterproductive, the head of Russian diplomacy thought.

On the other hand, a statement from the Foreign Ministry, referring to the threats launched by armed groups to knock down Syrian planes, affirms that if this materializes, the responsibility will not only be the that of the perpetrators, but also their sponsors.

"The threats against civilian aircraft, as those uttered against Syrian armed formations, are unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation," denounced the Chancellery.

"The bellicose warnings of armed groups to bring down commercial aircraft confirms that terrorism becomes one of their main activities," said the statement.

The countries that sponsor armed formations, which refuse to stimulate dialogue and determined to take "the war to a victorious end," prefer to ignore such circumstances, it points out.

From the newsroom of Vermelho to Prensa Latina



Translated from the Portuguese version by:

Lisa Karpova
Pravda.Ru

 

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Author`s name Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey
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