Sunday, July 29, 2012

Western Media Exaggerates Chemical Weapons in Syria

Western media exaggerates chemical weapons in Syria: Syrian FM

English.news.cn 2012-07-29 21:40:57

• Syrian Foreign Minister al-Muallem said Sunday that Western media exaggerates on chemical weapons in Syria.

• He stressed "We are ready to establish a region without the weapons of mass destruction" in the Middle East.

• "Since a month ago, we have been facing such media hype from the United States and European countires," he said.

TEHRAN, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said in Tehran on Sunday that Western media exaggerates on chemical weapons in Syria.

"Since a month ago, we have been facing such media hype from the United States, European countries, and even from some Arab states. They are trying to pose the subject, and exaggerate on it, " al-Muallem said at a joint press conference with Iran's foreign minister.

"Countries like the United States, have said that Israel possesses 200 nuclear warheads, the Israelis themselves have confessed that they are in possession of nuclear weapons," he added.

Al-Muallem stressed that "We are ready to establish a region without the weapons of mass destruction" in the Middle East.

"We say, if Israel signs Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), since we are a responsible country, therefore we are (also) committed to all international regulations, " said al-Muallem.

Jihad Makdissi, the Syrian Foreign Ministry's spokesman, said last week that Syrian chemical weapons would never be used in any inner fight or against Syrian people amid the current crisis, "no matter how this crisis evolves."

Some Western officials have expressed concerns the terrorist groups might reach the Syrian chemical weapons.

Al-Muallem arrived in Tehran on Sunday for talks with senior Iranian officials.

Muallem is scheduled to hold talks with Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, local media reported on Sunday.

The talks focus on the recent developments in Syria as well as bilateral relations between Tehran and Damascus.

Related:

Syria is committed to implement Annan's peace plan: FM

TEHRAN, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Muallem said on Sunday that his government is committed to implement Annan's peace plan.

Muallem made the remarks at a press conference with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi during his visit to Iran. He also said that the rebel forces in Aleppo "will definitely be defeated" by the government troops.

Conflict steps up in Syria, safety concerns lurk

BEIJING, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The military pace of the Syrian crisis has become a lot hotter as both the government and opposition forces are entering into pitched battles in pivotal spots, plunging the war-torn country into further chaos and prompting other countries to withdraw their diplomats.

Battles heating up in Syria's commercial hub

DAMASCUS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Intense clashes have continued in Syria's northern Aleppo province Saturday, as Syrian army battling to regain control of the rebel-held areas in Aleppo, a pro- government news website said.

Special Report: Syrian Situation

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