Friday, June 14, 2013

Syria Calls on United Nations to Condemn Massacre of Hatla in Deir Ezzor

Syria calls on UN to condemn massacre of Hatla in Deir Ezzor

Jun 13, 2013

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups perpetrated on June 12, 2013 a massacre in Hatla village in Deir Ezzor against scores of citizens, most of them women and children because they refused to support their criminal acts.

"The terrorists also looted, burglarized the citizens' properties, burned their houses and attacked and sabotaged the worship places... the websites have broadcasted videotapes documenting Jabhat al-Nusra massacre, instigated by one of the sheikhs of salafis in Kuwait called Shafi al-Ajami who is involved in funding and sending thousands of jihadists into Syria," the Foreign Ministry said in two identical letters sent to the UN Secretary General and President of the security Council.

It added that Syria has repeatedly warned in its pervious letters against the dangers of terrorism and extremism, as well as documented the crimes perpetrated by the armed groups.

"Syria stresses that when a number of states refused to condemn such crimes, they would encourage the terrorist groups to go ahead in their crimes which target the innocent citizens through committing massacres, random shelling on civilian regions in addition to the suicide bombings which even didn't spare the residential buildings, public establishments, mosques, churches as well as assassinating the Islamic and Christian clerks," the Ministry said.

It affirmed that the continuation of some countries in the region and abroad, on top, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to offer public and direct support to terrorism in Syria through funding, arming and resorting the armed terrorist groups, in addition to the European latest decision, sponsored by Britain and France, to lift embargo on arming the opposition is a dangerous violation of the legal commitments imposed by the UN Security Council resolutions and the relevant international treaties of counter-terrorism, on top, UNSC resolution 1373 for 2001.

"The EU decision to allow buying the Syrian oil, stolen by the armed terrorist groups, to sell weapons and military equipment is another violation of the EU states' commitment to curb the financing of terrorism," the letter said. It added that Syria once again warns against the dangers of involvement in supporting al-Qaeda-linked takfiri terrorism practiced by Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies of the "Islamic battalions", as well as the so-called "the Free Syrian Army".

"Syria underlines that some countries' continued calls for arming the opposition or announcing their willingness to arm them under the pretext of changing the military balance won't only support terrorists, but this uncovers the hidden intentions of those states to obstruct efforts to reach a political solution among the Syrians.

"Putting those facts in front of the UN Security council, Syria calls on it to assume its responsibilities, in light of its relevant resolutions of counter-terrorism, to condemn the massacre in Hatla village and call on the countries involved in supporting terrorism in Syria to stop such practices which pose a threat to the security and stability in Syria and the region," the Foreign Ministry concluded.

Mazen


Deputy Foreign Minister: Russian-Syrian Relations deep, strong

Jun 13, 2013

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Deputy Foreign and expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad described Syrian-Russian relations as deep, referring to the joint efforts to develop them, particularly in light of the conditions Syria is passing through.

"We appreciate the Russian stance, based on the UN principles and charter and the respect for the international law as well as the true commitment to combating terrorism at a time when others, particularly France, Britain and the US dissemble because they don't believe in the UN, the people's right in equality, sovereignty and independence," Mikdad said in a statement to SANA at a celebration held by the Russian Embassy in Damascus on Russia National Day.

"Those who kill the Syrians forget the noble values of Europe as some of its countries now support terrorism, terrorists and bloodshed in Syria, Mikdad added. He appreciated the principled stances of Federal Russia towards Syria at times of peace and crisis as well.

Russian Ambassador in Damascus Azmatullah Kulmohammadov said that one of Russian policy's priorities in the Middle East is to develop and boost friendship relations with Syria as relations between the two countries are based on the identical stances of their leaderships, represented by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad.

Ambassador Kulmohammadov affirmed his country's support to the Syrian people's aspirations for change towards the best, saying "this goal wouldn't be achieved except through the halt of violence by all sides, launching the national comprehensive dialogue.

He considered that the Syrian Army's victory in al-Qseir has to be an additional incentive for all to negotiate in order to solve the crisis in Syria.

"Russia stance on holding the international conference is clear and well known as the main mission is to launch the negotiation process among the Syrians without imposing any preconditions or decisions," The Russian Ambassador said.

He added that the Syrian government gave its initial approval to participate in the conference, but some sides are determined to continue the military choice in order to achieve their goals of the so-called "overthrowing the regime."

Kulmohammadov affirmed that coordination with the Syrians will continue to hold the conference in order to enable the Syrian people solve their internal problems; determine their future without any foreign intervention.

Syrian senior officials including Vice-President Najah al-Attar, People's Assembly Speaker Mohammad Jihad al-Laham, Deputy commander-in chief of the Army and Armed forces, Minister of defense Fahd Jasem al-Freij in addition to other ministers and political figures attended this great occasion.

Mazen


Minister of Economy: Developing ties with Russia to achieve economic stability

Jun 13, 2013

Damascus, (SANA)_ Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Dr. Mohammad Zafer Mihbek said Syria is keen to develop economic ties with Russia for realizing economic stability, reconstruction and comprehensive development.

During a meeting of the Syrian-Russian joint cooperation center board of directors on Thursday, Dr. Mihbek said that economic relations are no less important than the political, expressing appreciation for the Russian support to Syria.

Mihbek hoped the center would have an effective role in encouraging small and medium-sized projects and the youth projects, indicating that the center's activity depends on the businessmen's efforts in both countries.

The minister underlined the government's care for offering all necessary support to the center to assume a commercial and marketing role, pointing to its expected role in drawing Russian investments, especially as regards the infrastructure projects in the framework of reconstruction process after the crisis ends.

The participants in the meeting discussed the services to be offered to the business sector, emphasizing the importance that the board of directors carries out its tasks, especially with relation to proposing draft laws that the legal environment needs for developing economic ties with Russia.

The center approves cooperation agreements with counterpart bodies and centers and proposes draft laws that the legal environment needs for developing economic and trade relations with Russia.

Syria and Russia signed an agreement last August in Moscow to establish a joint center for geopolitical, scientific, technical and trade cooperation as to beef up the bilateral relations between the two countries.

M. Ismael /F.Allafi


Iraq reinforces Syria and Jordan border guards

Jun 13, 2013

Baghdad, (SANA)_Iraq sent four infantry regiments along Iraq's borders with Syria and Jordan to head off the infiltration of terrorists and weapons' smuggling, a source at the Iraqi Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The source indicated to intelligence information on terrorists' attempts to infiltrate to Iraq from Syria after they were vanquished in al-Qseir, reiterating that the Iraqi forces will repel any cross-border infiltration attempts.

Iraqi security sources said that terrorist groups in Jordan and Syria are planning to cross borders to carry out terrorist attacks in Nineveh and al-Anbar provinces to disturb the provincial elections due to be held on June 20.

The security and defense committee at the Iraqi parliament expressed support to the government's decision to beef up border guards.

The Iraqi MP, Adnan al-Shahmani said that preventing the infiltration of terrorists feeling the strikes of the Syrian army is a primary mission of the Iraqi army.

M. Ismael

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