Russian airstrikes "effective" in supporting Syrian anti-terrorism efforts, says Syrian FM

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Friday the beginning of Russian airstrikes in Syria "is an effective participation in the support of the Syrian efforts in combating terrorism."

"The important invitation of H.E. President Vladimir Putin for the establishment of an international-regional coalition to counter terrorism got the attention of the Syrian government and its support," al-Moualem told the UN General Assembly's general debate.

The airstrikes came upon a request from and in coordination with the Syrian government, said al-Moualem, who is also his country's deputy prime minister.

"Terrorism cannot be fought only from the air, and all of the previous operations to combat it have only served its spread and outbreak," he said.

"Air strikes are useless unless they are conducted in cooperation with the Syrian Army, the only force in Syria that is combating terrorism," he said.

Russian air force began air strikes in Syria on Wednesday. Russia's defence ministry said it had attacked the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa on Thursday.

On the sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States, al-Moualem said these sanctions "exacerbated the living conditions of Syrian civilians."

"At the same time, my government is cooperating with the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies within the framework of response plans agreed upon with the Syrian government, to meet the basic needs of the citizens, especially those forced by the terrorist acts to flee their homes, and many of whom have resorted to some neighboring countries," he said.

The foreign minister also welcomed the Syrian refugees if they decide to return home. "I stress that the Syrian state guarantees the safe return and decent life for the citizens who are willing to return."

On the issue of chemical weapons, he said that at the end of 2013, Syria accepted an initiative of Putin and joined the Convention of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based on the need to establish in the Middle East a free zone of Nuclear Weapons and all Weapons of Mass Destruction.

"Syria fulfilled its obligations resulting from its accession to the Convention, and completed its commitments despite the prevailing difficult situation," he said.

Concluding his speech, Al-Moualem called on the international community to "honestly implement Security Council resolutions related to countering terrorism."

"Only then we can begin the countdown to the end of war in Syria, until we get to the final quarter- hour, and open the doors to implement what is agreed upon on the political track," he said.
 Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
3/10/15
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• Syrian minister says air strikes alone won’t defeat Islamic State group

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