Damascus, SANA – President Bashar al-Assad said on Tuesday the entire world must realize the threat posed by terrorism on its security and stability.
He was speaking to the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, who arrived in Damascus on Monday.
The discussion revolved around the massacre which terrorists committed in Aleppo on Monday shelling civilians with rockets, whose death toll has reached 23, with this number likely to rise due to the critical cases of many of the over 100 wounded.
Terrorism that is being financed, armed and backed by some known countries has been highlighted during the talks as the major threat to Syria and the Syrian people, with a focus placed on the importance of restoring security to Syria and preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
To this effect, President al-Assad demanded that the world take a “clear” and “bold” stand against all who fund, arm and facilitate the movement of terrorists and against all who disregard the Security Council’s resolutions related to countering terrorism in the region.
He made it clear that remaining silent in response to the terrorists’ crimes encourages them to commit more acts of terror.
The UN Envoy explained during the meeting that his visit to Syria is aimed at updating President al-Assad with the results of the consultations he recently held in the Swiss city Geneva with Syrian sides representing various components of the Syrian society.
De Mistura began consultations on Syria in early May, to which a delegation from the Syrian government was invited along with 40 Syrian sides and 20 international sides.
The consultations took the form of separate talks held with different sides at the UN headquarters in Geneva away from media coverage. The preliminary stage of the consultations was expected to last for five to six weeks.
The UN Envoy added during his meeting with the President that he intended through his visit to discuss the next steps that need to be taken in order for him to come to completing his report on Syria, which he is going to put forth to the Security Council by late July.
It was agreed at the end of the meeting to continue consultations with a view to finding an effective political solution to the crisis in Syria and helping restore security and stability to it.
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, who met with de Mistura yesterday, attended today’s meeting, along with the Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban, Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mikdad and Advisor to Foreign Minister Ahmad Arnous.
De Mistura’s latest visit to Syria was last February. He then met President al-Assad who renewed Syria’s keenness to support any initiative or ideas that would contribute to solving the crisis in the country.
The President stressed the need to pressure all countries to abide by the Security Council’s resolutions 2170 and 2178 on stopping acts of funding terrorists and allowing them to pass into Syria.
Haifa Said
