President Ahmadinejad: Iran Stands by Syria in the face of Conspiracy.. Al-Moallem: Syria Possesses Defense Capabilities Sufficient to Defend Each Grain of Its Soil
Jul 30, 2012
TEHRAN, (SANA)- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran underlined that Iran is a brotherly country to Syria and stands by it in the face of conspiracy till right wins over unjust.
Meeting Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, President Ahmadinejad expressed confidence that Syria will win thanks to the wise leadership of President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian people’s support to his leadership.
Al-Moallem, stressed Syria’s determination to foil the conspiracy to which it is exposed, and to fight the armed terrorist groups which perpetrate terror acts, kill civilians, attack private and public properties, supported by Arab and western countries which supply them with weapon and money.
Al-Moallem also met the Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili and the Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council Ali Larijani, briefing them on the current situation in Syria.
Jalili and Larijani, for their part, underlined the importance of continuing coordination and consultation between the two countries, expressing confidence that Syria will win its war against the conspiracy to which it is exposed.
Earlier, al-Moallem discussed during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salihi the bilateral relations and the current situation in the region, particularly in Syria, expressing Syria’s determination to come out of the crisis stronger.
Al-Moallem stressed that Syria has agreed on the six-point plan of the UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan, most importantly, halting violence by all sides.
Foreign Minister also hailed the stances of Russia and China which stand by the international law and the UN convention and their assertion on Syria’s territorial integrity and non-intervention in its domestic affairs.
Al-Moallem: Syria Possesses Defense Capabilities Sufficient to Defend Each Grain of Its Soil
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Walid al-Moallem, stressed that Syria possesses defense capabilities sufficient to defend each grain of its soil, stressing the Syrian people’s steadfastness in the face of the crowd of countries that are ferociously conspiring against them.
“The Syrian people are determined to face the conspiracy hatched against them and achieve victory over it,” al-Moallem said in a joint press conference with Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi in Tehran on Sunday, stressing that the Syrian army will continue facing the armed terrorist groups on the ground.
He highlighted the Syrians’ steadfastness throughout the crisis despite the inhumane siege imposed by the US, the EU countries and the states of the so-called Arab League which targets the Syrians with their living.
Al-Moallem: The Syrians’ Determination to Face the Conspiracy Is Now Stronger
He said what has increased the Syrians’ steadfastness and rallying around their leadership was that they have exposed the dimensions, parties and tools of the conspiracy and Israel’s involvement in it along with some Arab states.
“Today I say to you that Syria is stronger and our determination to face this scheme is stronger, and we have proved this on the ground since the Wednesday when they planned for what they called “The Great Battle for Damascus”,” said al-Moallem.
He continued that despite the groups of terrorists who were mobilized for the battle, “they were defeated in less than a week and the battle failed, so they moved to Aleppo where they will certainly fail.”
Al-Moallem: Syria Committed to a Middle East Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Minister al-Moallem reiterated Syria’s position proclaimed since 2003 on calling for establishing a Middle East weapons of mass destruction free zone when it submitted a draft resolution regarding this issue to the Security Council which is still there but not put to the vote because of the US obstruction.
He said that Syria has been facing for more than a month now an intensive campaign by the US, western and some Arab countries about possession of chemical weapons.
“Whether or not we possess unconventional weapons, Syria has repeatedly declared its readiness to establish a region free of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction,” al-Moallem stressed.
“The truth is that Syria is a country of confrontation as part of its land is under the occupation of Israel which possesses nuclear capabilities acknowledged by the US,” al-Moallem added, pointing out at the Pentagon Israel is said to have over 200 nuclear bombs.
He noted that in 1968 Syria joined the 1925 Geneva protocol on the prohibition of biological weapons proliferation and is committed to what it signed.
“As with regard to the convention on prohibition of chemical weapons, we are ready to sign it if signed by Israel. This is fair and legitimate and Syria is a responsible country that respects international legitimacy and the rules of international law in this regard,” said Minister al-Moallem, adding that Syria wants welfare to prevail the region.
Asked on the plan of the UN envoy Kofi Annan, al-Moallem reiterated Syria’s full abidance by the plan being “a reasonable plan and an appropriate means to resolve the crisis in Syria.”
He cited two essential points in the plan: the preventing of foreign interference in Syria and the stress on the political solution.
With regard to the implementation of Annan’s plan, the Foreign Minister made clear that the Syrian government has offered all it could and pulled out its forces from the Syrian cities.
He highlighted the fact that the implementation of the plan will guarantee preventing interference in the Syrian internal affair by such countries as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.
“This is an important point in Annan’s plan to prevent disrupting security in Syria as the opposition still up to this moment can engage into serious dialogue with the government,” said al-Moallem.
Al-Moallem added that the conspirators are so fierce that even when security and stability are restored to Syria, the conspiracy will not end, and that Israel is the mastermind of the conspiracy and regrettably there are some Gulf states supporting Israel in implementing the conspiracy, which is why the international activity against Syria has not ended.
Answering a question, al-Moallem said, “the terrorist groups which come across the borders from Turkey to Syria are from various nationalities: Egyptians, Libyans, Iraqis and others,” pointing out that a number of the Iraqi terrorists arrested in Syria belong to Al Qaeda.
He added, “There are others who came to Syria as journalists and later the authorities discovered they were not journalists, and many of those who were arrested in Syria took up arms and fought against the Syrian Arab Army and the government,” pointing out that those who surrenders their weapons and whose hands are clear of blood will be pardoned immediately, and as for those who want dialogue and have demands, their demands will be studied and the legitimate ones will be addressed.
The Foreign and Expatriates Minister said “what we want from Lebanon is to remain safe and united and to help us prevent the infiltration of terrorists through its borders.”
On the statements of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in which he laid the responsibility of bloodshed in Syria on the west and some regional countries, Minister al-Moallem said these statements come from a man with considerable experience who is well-informed of what is going on the Syrian, regional and internal arenas .
Al-Moallem described his talks with his Iranian counterpart as very productive, stressing that the viewpoints of the two countries were identical on the regional issues and the conspiracy hatched against Syria to serve the interests of Israel.
For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister stressed that the Israel is behind what is going on in Syria and that some states are rushing madly against Syria to weaken its position and hinder its development.
Salehi pointed out that an international conspiracy is targeting Syria, saying that some sides are looking for pretexts and reasons for the developments and events in Syria, while he believes that the only reasons for these developments is that Israel is inciting against Syria.
Salehi added that the Syrian leadership has met most of the legitimate demands of the Syrian people.
He pointed out to the reformative laws issued by the Syrian government regarding political pluralism, elections and media laws, calling on all sides to give the Syrian leadership enough time to implement these reforms.
Salehi said “we are working to achieve security and stability in this region which is full of problems, and the wrong acts undertaken by some states prove that a conspiracy is targeting Syria … they naively believe that they can replace the government if they created vacuum in Syria, which is a naive misconception and they certainly should reconsider and pay attention to the internal situation in Syria and decide accordingly.”
He voiced certainty and confidence that the Syrian people will be victorious, as victory comes from righteousness.
Authorities Continue ChasingTerrorist Groups in Aleppo, Daraa, Homs and Deir Ezzor, Infiltration Attempts from Lebanon and Turkey Foiled
Jul 29, 2012
PROVINCES,(SANA)-The border guards on Saturday foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorist groups which tried to cross to Talkalakh area in Syria from Lebanon.
A source at the Province said that the terrorist groups tried, several times, to infiltrate to Syria from the areas of al-Matehouma and Shihera.
The source added that the authorities foiled the attempts and forced terrorists to flee back to Lebanon.
Authorities Continue Hunting Terrorist Groups in Aleppo
Authorities continued hunting the armed terrorist groups in Salah-Eddin neighborhood in Aleppo, causing them heavy losses.
An official source told SANA reporter that some gangs’ leaders were killed, pointing out that Ahmad al-Janoudi, Mohammad Abdul-Salam Salloum, Ali al-Hussein abu Hussein and Mohammad al-Saed were identified among the dead.
The armed forces also managed to clear Saladin neighborhood in Aleppo city from armed terrorist group.
An official source telling SANA that the armed forces inflicted very heavy losses on the terrorists, some of them non-Syrians of Arab and foreign nationalities, adding that fleeing terrorists are being pursued and that their hideouts are being raided, with the terrorists being arrested or eliminated.
The source said that the armed forces killed or wounded the terrorists in Bab al-Hadid area and arrested a number of them, adding that a Chevrolet pickup equipeed with a DShK machinegun was seized in Bustan al-Zahra area.
In al-Barkoum area, the authorities inflicted heavy losses upon a terrorist group that had attempted to sabotage factories in the area and terrorize their owners.
Armed Forces Liberate Two Abductees in Damascus Countryside
In al-Shefoniye in Damascus Countryside, the Syrian Arab Army forces managed to liberate two employees who were abducted by terrorists.
Colonel Nabil Kurdaghli said in a speech to the Syrian TV that while he was going from the hospital last Thursday to buy some bread, an armed terrorist group abducted him, taking him to unknown place.
“The terrorists beat and tortured me, but when they knew that I was a doctor.. they stopped beating me in order to make use of my expertise in treating the injured terrorists,” Doctor Kudaghli said.
For his part, Policeman Amer al-Ali said that while going to my work in al-Shefoniya, an armed terrorist group stormed the municipality building, abducted me and took me to unknown place.
“After one hour, we arrived at a farm… the terrorists beat and tortured me, leading to the braking of a number of my ribs and a full paralysis in my right hand
Infiltration Attempt from Turkey Foiled, Suffer Heavy Losses among Terrorists in Idleb
Border guards on Sunday foiled an infiltration attempt of an armed terrorist group from the Turkish territories to Syria near -Ein al-Beida site in Jisr al-Shughor in Idleb Province.
An official source in the province told SANA reporter that members of border guards arrested a number of terrorists, while the others escaped back to the Turkish territories.
Authorities also hunted an armed terrorist group in Bileen, Bailoun and Kfar Rouma villages in the province causing them heavy losses.
The source pointed out that the authorities destroyed the cars of the terrorists which were equipped with machine guns and confiscated their weapons.
The authorities also clashed with terrorists in farms surrounding Idleb city and in Qourin village, inflicting heavy losses on the terrorists, confiscating their weapon and destroying their cars which are armed with machine guns.
Heavy Losses Caused to Terrorists During Clashes in Daraa
Authorities arrested several members of the armed terrorist groups in Mukhayam al-Naziheen neighborhood in Daraa and caused them heavy losses.
An official source in the province told SANA reporter that a field hospital was found during the pursuit process.
In Busra al-Sham, the authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group, killing all its members.
Authorities Raid Terrorist Hideout in Sheikh Miskin, Daraa Countryside
The authorities raided a terrorist hideout in the town of Sheikh Miskin in Daraa countryside, inflicting heavy losses upon the terrorists, many of which threw down their guns and surrendered to the authorities.
Several innocent civilians who had been abducted by the terrorists were liberated during this operation.
In Daraa al-Balad, Mousa Ahmad al-Masalmeh, the leader of a terrorist group, was killed.
Terrorists Suffer Heavy Losses in Talbiseh, Homs Countryside
The authorities set an ambush in Talbiseh area in Homs countryside for an armed terrorist group which had been carrying out acts of murder and vandalism, setting roadblocks, and opening fire on passing cars.
A source at the province told SANA that scores of terrorists were either killed or injured during the clash.
Authorities Chase Terrorists in Deir Ezzor
Authorities on Saturday chased armed terrorist groups in al-Aradi neighborhood in Deir Ezzor City and the countryside of al-Mayadeen inflicting heavy losses upon their members.
SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that terrorists Mohammad al-Badr, Mohammad Eleiwi and Wahab al-Khaleifeh were identified among the deed in al-Aradi neighborhood.
Syrian Armed forces Purify al-Sbeineh from the armed terrorist groups
Syrian Armed forces purified al-Sbeineh area in Damascus countryside from the defeated armed terrorist groups which terrified the citizens, spread chaos, burned private and public properties and sabotaged the infrastructure.
The families in al-Sbeineh thanked the sacrifices of the Syrian armed forces for their response to their calls to get rid of the armed groups which forced them to flee their homes and looted their properties
Sunday Telegraph: Islamist Fighters Camps in North Syria Include Members of non-Syrian Nationalities
Jul 29, 2012
LONDON, (SANA)- The British Sunday Telegraph newspaper revealed that the camps of Islamist militants fighting against the Syrian state in the northern region included people from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Chechnya, with some of them speaking English.
The newspaper reported in an article published on Saturday that the British Foreign Office “is investigating reports that British citizens are among Islamist fighters who kidnapped a British photographer and his Dutch colleague in northern Syria.”
It quoted a source close to the incident as saying that British John Cantlie and Dutchman Jeroen Oerlemans were held by Islamist fighters for a week “after they accidentally came across their camp while crossing the border from south east Turkey” to report on the events taking place in Syria.
While they were held in captivity, the source added,the journalists “were threatened with death unless they converted to Islam,” before another group of the so-called Free Syrian Army militias turned up the camp and demanded that they be released.
The source told the Sunday Telegraph that the camp members “included people from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Chechnya, with no Syrians present, adding that “round 40 per cent” of them apparently spoke English but it was not clear what nationalities they were.
The source noted that there were “at least six men with British-sounding voices, including one with a heavy south London accent.
Health Minister: New Agreements with Iran Will Help Break the Economic Siege Imposed on Syria
Jul 29, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Health Minister Dr. Wael al-Halqi said that the new agreements signed with Iran recently will help break the economic siege imposed on Syria by European Countries and the US which targets the Syrian citizens and their health.
In a statement to SANA, al-Halqi said the agreements cover cooperation in the fields of liver transplant, stem-cell transplant and their optometry applications, treatment of incurable diseases, and facilitating the exchange of medicine and medical equipment.
He added that the agreements also cover holding fairs and expos, coordinating in the field of health information, healthcare, laboratories and quality control for pharmaceuticals.
Al-Halqi said the cooperation between the two countries will help provide the medicine, equipment and supplies needed by health establishments in Syria, allowing them to provide medical services to those who need them.
He noted that the Ministry’s requirements of Thalassemia medicine is entirely procured from Iran, voicing hope to continue coordination between the two countries to provide medicine and train medical staff
Yousef Shams Back to Freedom after 5 Years of Israeli Unjust Imprisonment
Jul 29, 2012
QUNEITRA, (SANA) – After five years of unjust imprisonment, the Israeli occupation forces on Sunday released head of Apple Marketing Committee in occupied Golan, Yousef Saleh Shams, from the occupied village of Majdal Shams.
In a statement to SANA, the released prisoner renewed the continuation of struggle against the occupation and adherence to land and the Syrian Arab identity despite all the aggressive practices and unjust rules imposed on the Syrian Arab people in Golan.
Shams considered that his years of detention since the seventies of the last century which have reached twelve altogether are “a badge of honor”, pointing out that he will continue with farming to contribute to alleviating the burden on Golan farmers and foiling the Zionist blockade on their apple crop which is their only source of living.
He saluted the motherland, Syria, stressing that the foreign and interior conspiracy will be foiled, highlighting belief that Syria will overcome the crisis to practice its regional and pan Arab role all over again.
General Gaye: Syria committed to Anna’s Plan
Jul 29, 2012
HOMS, (SANA)-Homs Governor Ahmad Moneir Mohammad on Sunday discussed with General Babacar Gaye, Head of the UN International Observer Mission in Syria and a team of the observers the situation in Homs and means of finding solutions to what the city witnesses due to the acts of armed terrorist groups which harm the life of citizens and their properties.
The Governor briefed General Gaye and the accompanying delegation on the acts of armed groups which carry out infiltration operations from the Lebanese borders into Syria aiming at destabilizing the satiation in the country.
“We are here in Syria.. we have new tasks.. we work to implement the Security council latest resolution on Syria and to carry out the plan of the UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan,” General Gays said in a speech to the Syrian TV.
He added “We assert that there is a commitment by the Syrian government in Annan’s plan.. the crisis in Syria couldn’t be resolved except by an agreement between the Syrian people and their leadership.
Algeria Rejects any Foreign Intervention in Syria’s Affairs
Jul 29, 2012
TEHRAN, (SANA)-Algerian Foreign Minister Murad Medelci underlined his country’s rejection of any foreign intervention in Syria’s internal affairs.
During a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Ali akbar Salihi today, Medelci referred to the need for the peaceful and political solution to the crisis in Syria and carrying out the reforms.
Medelci and Salihi stressed the importance for restoring calm and stability in Syria.
The two sides discussed the latest developments and the important issues in the region, particularly the situation in Syria
Interior Minister: Our Army and Security Forces will Restore Stability and Security
Jul 28, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Interior Lieutenant General Mohammad al-Shaar said that the Syrian army and law-enforcement personnel will eliminate terrorism in all its forms and restore security and stability to the homeland.
In an interview on the Syrian TV on Saturday, al-Shaar sent a message to the persons who were misled and carried weapons asking them to return to their senses and vowing to help them in this regards.
On the allegations made by some media outlets on his death in the explosion which targeted the National Security Office in Damascus, al-Shaar said that “This is not strange as these news pieces are part of the psychological warfare waged against Syria.”
Minister al-Shaar headed a meeting with senior police officers with the aim of discussing the best methods to realize their mission in restoring security to the country.