Points of view....
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2013/10/26/To-the-Syrian-opposition-go-to-Geneva.html
http://rt.com/news/al-nusra-leader-killed-syria-753/
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 10/25/2013 15:21 -0400
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/10/25/331255/ksa-provided-syria-militants-with-cw/
“The Saudi intelligence provided this chemical substance to the rebels in the neighborhood of Damascus and asked them to use it against the government and then to accuse the [Syrian] government of doing so,” Ja’afari said on Friday.
The Syrian diplomat also stated that his country has become the victim of the interference of certain countries, including Turkey and Qatar, in its internal affairs.
The Syrian envoy said now that the fact has become crystal clear, the same countries supporting the insurgents are denying their links to these groups.
On September 14, Russia and the United States agreed on a deal, according to which Syria will have its chemical weapons eliminated and the US will in return not carry out planned strikes on the Middle Eastern country.
The agreement came after days of mounted war rhetoric against Syria by the US and some of its allies, which blamed Damascus for a fatal chemical attack on the outskirts of the Syrian capital on August 21.
Damascus has repeatedly denied the accusation, saying the attack was carried out by the militants operating inside the country as a false-flag operation.
Ja’afari also criticized the selective approach taken by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos regarding the situation in Syria.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011, with the Western powers and their regional allies, especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, supporting the militants operating inside Syria.
In May, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said militants from 29 different countries were fighting against his government in different parts of the country.
According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the violence.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2013/10/26/To-the-Syrian-opposition-go-to-Geneva.html
Last Update: Saturday, 26 October 2013 KSA 15:52 - GMT 12:52
To the Syrian opposition, go to Geneva
Any review of civil wars in the modern era shows that most of them are settled militarily. Civil wars fought between two combatants with limited or no foreign intervention tend to end in a few years (the American civil war, for example). Even the Spanish civil war, in which many foreign countries and parties were deeply involved, was settled in three years because it remained a conflict between two camps. Those civil wars involving more than one faction, and drawing a number of foreign sponsors of the local combatants, tend to drag on for years, even decades, (Angola, Afghanistan and Lebanon, for example). Syria’s civil war belongs to the second category, and is likely to continue for some time. Not necessarily at the current tempo, however, particularly with the emergence of “Cantons” controlled by the various warring parties. The Assad regime controls parts of Damascus, Aleppo and other cities, as well as a sliver of land connecting the capital to the predominantly Alawite Syrian coast, the community from which the Assad clan hails. In parts of northern Syria, hard line Islamists factions hold sway, and in parts of southern Syria factions belonging the ‘Free Syrian Army’ made headway. And in northeastern Syria the Kurdish groups are in control of their ancestral lands.
It is true that the prospects of convening the Geneva II conference are low, and the chances of success are almost nil, nonetheless the Syrian opposition’s hostility to convening a “peace” conference without a priori decision guaranteeing Bashar al-Assad’s departure is ill conceived tactically, just as boycotting Geneva II if it takes place or rejecting the Principle of negotiations with representatives of the current regime is a strategic blunder. The continuation of fighting will likely lead to the breakup of Syria, turning what is today a “soft partition” of the country into a de facto or final hard partition. Moreover, such an outcome will embolden, strengthen and legitimize the hard line Salafist groups, many of whose members are not even Syrians. This possibility will play into the hands of those who claim that the struggle has become one between a “secular” regime fighting the atavistic dark forces of Jihadists threatening not only Syria but the region and the West. Geneva II could become a new opportunity for a fragmented and weak opposition lacking a stellar reputation inside Syria, given the constant bickering among its various components, and their inability to frame an over-arching vision of a post-Assad Syria to resurrect itself as a viable opposition capable of negotiating political outcomes and delivering on its promises and commitments.
What could be
Geneva II could provide the opposition a chance to prove to the world, and the Syrian themselves, that they truly represent them and they are fighting on their behalf, that they will do their utmost not only to overthrow a despotic regime and build a representative and democratic alternative, but also to do whatever it takes to alleviate their suffering during this tragic moment in their lives. Boycotting Geneva II will serve the deceptive narrative of the Assad regime that it is fighting only extremists and Jihadists with links to al-Qaeda. Such a posture could lead the Obama administration, which has not been a very reliable supporter, to entertain compromises that would not necessarily serve the long term aspirations of the Syrian people. Washington’s recent contradictory positions on Syria, since the major chemical attack last August, and the media leaks showing that the Central Intelligence Agency’s limited plans to arm Syrian rebels are not designed to help them achieve victory - like Assad’s friends - but rather to create a stalemate and exhaust both sides to force them to sue for peace, should be a wakeup call for the opposition to reconsider some of their political goals and assumptions. The opposition should go to Geneva II precisely to ask the United States and others who call themselves “Friends of the Syrian People” to deliver on their pledges and commitments to actively work on establishing a “transitional governing body” that “would exercise full executive powers” as stipulated in the communiqué of Geneva I . The opposition should tell its international friends that if Geneva II is to fail, they should commit themselves to helping the rebellion with the type of arms that could tip the balance on the battle field.
Geneva II could provide the opposition a chance to prove to the world, and the Syrian themselves, that they truly represent them and they are fighting on their behalfHisham Melhem
The opposition, mainly the National Coalition and the Syrian Free Army should agree on a definition of what “full executive powers” means; that should include authority over the armed forces, security and intelligence services, communication and the central bank. The communiqué of the “London 11” (the U.S., Arab and European nations), which convened a few days ago, moved in the direction of the opposition when it stated that when the transitional government is formed, Bashar Assad and his close lieutenants “with blood on their hands will have no role in Syria.” Even if the conference is convened and an acceptable political settlement was not within reach, the opposition would have been in a position to advocate for the implementation of those items in Geneva I that would have an impact on the lives of Syrians, such as the rapid release of the detained and other demands that the international community support, such as unencumbered access to the besieged areas to provide humanitarian relief, and an end to the siege of Ghoutah, other suburbs of Damascus, Homs and other areas. They could also push for financial and tangible material aid to administer the liberated areas and provide basic services. The “London 11” warned against “delaying tactics” and is pushing for the establishment of the transitional government “within the coming months.” Therefore, it is imperative that the Syrian opposition should not be seen as a serious obstacle to Geneva II, particularly when Assad himself is acting and implying that he is not willing to participate in it. By going to Geneva II the opposition will not be forsaking any option, and should be able to talk and fight at the same time. The war in Syria is approaching the tipping point where the answer to the question that Fred Hof, one of America’s best commentators on Syria, posed recently (“Syria: Is it too late to do anything?”) will be in the affirmative.
The opposition’s skepticism about Geneva II is well founded, but for the opposition not to be in any meeting that will address the future of the Syrian people is a dereliction of duty. There should be no illusions about Geneva II, but if it could provide the opposition the opportunity to articulate in front of the world an inclusive and democratic vision of Syria, and a chance to achieve even limited tactical successes to alleviate the agony of millions of Syrians, then it would have been worth it. There is no alternative to rational, cold, political calculus. Go to Geneva.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2013/10/26/Saudi-Arabia-s-take-on-the-Syrian-crisis.html
Last Update: Saturday, 26 October 2013 KSA 14:44 - GMT 11:44
Saudi Arabia’s take on the Syrian crisis
There are many reasons behind Saudi Arabia’s resentment of the United States. This much obvious when it comes to dealing with the Syrian crisis since the U.S. simply and clearly “hides its real intentions.” Repeated American statements rejecting the regime of Bashar al-Assad completely contradicts what is happening on the ground. This is what angers the Saudis, who want a quick solution to end the crisis. Saudis reject what they see as the shameful and irresponsible U.S. position that has led to prolonging the conflict in Syria, regardless of its repercussions and expansion into other countries in the region.
The obvious contradiction in the U.S. position is highlighted in the issue of arming the opposition. While the U.S. secretly rejects the desire of its ally Saudi Arabia in raising the quality of armaments sent to Syrian rebels, and even prevents Saudi Arabia from sending some quality weapons by virtue of the sales agreements that prohibit the transfer of weapons to a third party, it did not do anything about Russia sending weapons to the Syrian regime via Iran and Iraq. The only time the U.S. interfered was to support Israel, by rejecting the transfer of S-300 air defense missile systems to Damascus. It did not even bother to prevent the participation of tens of thousands of Hezbollah fighters and Iraqi Shiite volunteers in the war in Syria, although it is fully aware of the role and responsibilities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Qasem Soleimani in the war.
Unconvinced
I believe that Saudi Arabia is not convinced with the U.S.’s statements saying that it cannot prevent Hezbollah or the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, which are both adverse to the U.S., from entering Syria. Riyadh knows in detail the real extent of U.S. influence in Iraq, which has become the main source conveying weapons and volunteers to Syria from Iran. Israel also did not hesitate to launch attacks inside Syria and target members of Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guards, thus threatening Israeli interests, without any significant reaction from the regime and its allies. If Israel can afford it, Washington can afford it too, especially as Jordan has facilitated the task and allowed Obama’s administration to use Jordanian bases to attack the regime with unmanned aircraft. According to knowledgeable sources, the U.S. refused this offer, which was reiterated several times in coordination with the Saudis.
The other paradox is that the United States fully agrees with the Saudi analysis regarding the dangers that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula poses to security in the region. Moreover, there is cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. in fighting against this organization, which is active in Yemen among other states. However, the U.S administration is not interested in the danger al-Qaeda poses in Syria. A danger which was exacerbated with the arrival of the original version of al-Qaeda, the organization of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, that must be perceived by Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey as a serious threat to their security.
The other paradox is that the United States fully agrees with the Saudi analysis regarding the dangers that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula poses to security in the region. Moreover, there is cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. in fighting against this organization, which is active in Yemen among other states. However, the U.S administration is not interested in the danger al-Qaeda poses in Syria. A danger which was exacerbated with the arrival of the original version of al-Qaeda, the organization of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, that must be perceived by Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey as a serious threat to their security.
Such youths are also influenced by jihadist calls that have not disappeared in Saudi Arabia, but have gone underground insteadJamal Kashoggi
The strength of this organization in Syria lies in its ability to establish ballistic missiles bases therein. This allows their projectiles to reach all the countries of the region. By ballistic missiles, I mean suicide bombers, which the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) has. The organization can send suicide bombers to any city in the region; it did so with the Kurdistan Regional Government when it sent suicide bombers who blew themselves and their cars up in six locations in the capital Irbil, to warn the city of supporting the Kurds in northern Syria who are preventing al-Qaeda from gaining control over the entire region.
The bombings in Irbil traumatized the countries in the region since that city was supposedly safe and enjoyed security, but experts say that stopping a surface-to-surface missile with a patriot network is easier than stopping a suicide bomber who crosses the border alone while his explosives traveling separately with someone else. Once united, it would be almost impossible to stop him from executing his suicidal operation.
Driven by anger
The presence of ISIS in northern Syria, and its welcoming of foreign fighters, will make it attractive to young Saudis driven by anger as a result of violations taking place in the country. Such youths are also influenced by jihadist calls that have not disappeared in Saudi Arabia, but have gone underground instead. The estimations that the number of Saudi Mujahedeen in Syria is around four thousand may be exaggerated, similar to what happened in Afghanistan and Bosnia where numbers were overstated too. However, even if the number was a quarter of what is estimated, it is still a big number that might renew al-Qaeda’s activities in Saudi Arabia, a country that felt relieved when security authorities were able to reduce al-Qaeda activity within its borders, a campaign which led al-Qaeda to stop acting in the kingdom altogether. According to an expert on the situation there, who works with the United Nations, this is what led to the complete suspension of al-Qaeda’s operations in Saudi Arabia. However, there is a distressing issue: Saudis in Syria hide their real number and avoid being shown by media outlets on purpose. This is unlike al-Qaeda, which posts propaganda videos on YouTube and spreads their “heroic” stories to recruit others. The expert adds: “You may see many videos about for the Chechens or the Libyans, but their number is much smaller than the Saudis, whom I believe are the third largest group after the Jordanian and Palestinian fighters in Syria ... staying away from the media is worrying.”
Hiding from the authorities
Maybe this is because they know that fighting in Syria is against the orders of their country, but they certainly also know that Saudi security forces know well who went to fight in Syria and will arrest them upon their return.
Al-Qaeda is aware of that and thus it exploits this fact to use them as an abundant source of back up for recruitment and covert activities in Syria. Those who know al-Qaeda, know that there is always some stages after Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
All of these Saudi concerns will only fade away when the Syrian crisis ends, especially since the crisis is now providing a suitable ground for al-Qaeda and Iran to extend their influence, each in its own way and according to its own objectives, and both are against Saudi Arabia. Recent leaks in American newspapers revealed that the Obama administration is not interested in ending the crisis. Actually, it seems to want to extend the crisis; this will surely deepen the gap between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
This painful surprise was reported in the New York Times last Wednesday. The White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough told members of Congress: “The situation in Syria can keep Iran busy for many years,” and then added: “The fighting in Syria between Hezbollah and al-Qaeda may be in the interest of the United States.”
His statement recalls imperialist attitudes that prevailed in the 1950s when the interests of arms dealers and oil companies used to determine U.S. foreign policy, without taking into account the rights and interests of the people.
We are not angels, but we cannot be this evil. The Syrians and the entire region will pay for such a policy, and the war between al-Qaeda and Hezbollah will expand and drag in the region’s countries and armies.
The health care reform program in the United States might be more important to U.S. President Obama than the Syrian hell – as described by Obama himself – but Syria can be Saudi Arabia’s paradise or hell. So let us do something, even if we are to act alone, regardless of what we have to sacrifice today. Because what we may have to sacrifice today is surely much less than what we will be sacrificing in three or four years.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/world/2013/10/26/The-political-project-behind-Geneva-II-.html
Last Update: Saturday, 26 October 2013 KSA 12:05 - GMT 09:05
The political project behind Geneva II
You must all attend the Geneva II conference as we will be discussing issues of governance, military and security in Syria’s transitional phase. This is what the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman advised the Syrian opposition as it came under intense pressure for its rejection to attend the conference. Feltman, who is one of the most knowledgeable persons about Syria’s situation, says that the conference is important as it will decide the nature of the new Syria and will discuss all the executive powers of the transitional governing group in Syria, which will be established by the Geneva II conference, such as who will gain control of the army and the security forces. Feltman told newspaper al-Hayat that the conference aims at launching a political process led by Syria, “not to administer the current situation, but to institute a new Syria.”
As for the presidency of the Syrian National Coalition and most of its members, they are aware that their absence will allow the Syrian regime to win the political battle. It would be difficult to correct agreed upon outcomes of the conference if they do not take part. The leadership of the Syrian opposition is facing a strong campaign, led by different opposition parties, that deliberately embarrasses and urges the opposition not to participate. This is the result of political rivalry within the opposition and not really because the conference itself is being rejected. They have resorted to accusations of treason that have spread lately. Some opposition factions started questioning the opposition’s right to participate without authorization! There are angry and desperate groups that do not want to participate in any political process, but at the same time do not suggest any plausible alternative, which they are capable of proposing.
Recent political moves
The Syrian opposition wanted to set a time limit of three months for such a political process to take place so that international opponents, such as the Russians, will not take advantage and turn it into a never-ending, time-wasting, game. But the Americans did not want to be restricted by a deadline.
The road will not be easy, especially as there is a renewed intention to form an opposition coalition with its own armed factionsAbdulrahman al-Rashed
Despite all these disappointments, the opposition can still withdraw when it believes that time has been wasted to no avail, or when it feels that the course of the negotiations is not in the interest of the Syrian people and their expectations. Although the opposition did not receive any guarantee before sitting down at the conference table, it still benefited from the fact that the Geneva 1 and 2 conferees have recognized the coalition’s right to represent the opposition, as it embodies “the basis and the core” of the opposition. This will not give opportunity for the fake opposition created by the Syrian regime and promoted by the Iranians.
The road will not be easy, especially as there is a renewed intention to form an opposition coalition with its own armed factions to promote its position as a representative of all forces on the ground.
What Feltman is saying is true in terms of the need to participate and not disregard this occasion on which major international forces will meet to discuss the fate of Syria. The opposition has to convince its allies, such as the Gulf countries, of their need for increased military support so that Assad’s army won’t make ground advancements over the next few months. Obstructing his military abilities will mean that Assad’s negotiating position will be limited.
The situation in Syria will play an important role during the negotiations at Geneva II. President Assad recently expressed intentions of running for president again, which means that he intends to intensify fighting, something we have noticed recently.
and....
http://rt.com/news/al-nusra-leader-killed-syria-753/
Leader of al-Nusra Front killed in Syria – state TV
Leader of the al-Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliated fighting force in Syria, has been killed, state television reported.
According to reports Abu Mohammad al-Golani, has been killed in the Western province of Latakia.
Syrian State TV did not provide any further details. There has been no immediate comment from the opposition groups. However reports are emerging that al Golani was not killed as he was in Idlib, a town in northwestern Syria today, rebels with ties to al-Nusra claim, itv.com reported.
Latakia, largely loyal to government forces, has seen the recent advance of rebel forces. On Friday, however, the government forces have conducted a large-scale operation against Al-Nusra near Damascus, reportedly killing several dozen of fighters.
Al-Golani, the leader of al-Nusra, is known for his efforts to overthrow the Syrian government and impose Islamic Sharia law. The armed rebel group that has carried out numerous attacks in Syria.
In May Al-Golani was designated as a global terrorist by the United States for his Al-Qaeda links and responsibility for multiple suicide attacks.
According to US State Department, Abu Mohammad al-Golani sought assistance from Al-Qaeda in Iraq to carry out terrorist acts, namely suicide attacks in Syria. He has also publically pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda leader, Ayman al Zawahiri.
But consider SANA has already walked away from the news alert.....
But consider SANA has already walked away from the news alert.....
Last Update: Saturday, 26 October 2013 KSA 01:32 - GMT 22:32
Syria state TV: Leader of Nusra Front killed
Al Arabiya
The leader of Syria’s Islamist militant group al-Nusra Front has been killed in the country’s coastal province on Friday, said Syrian state TV, although state news agency SANA quickly withdrew an alert saying the same thing.
“The terrorist Abu Mohammad al-Golani, chief of the al-Nusra Front affiliated to al-Qaeda, has been killed in the campaign in the northwestern province of Latakia,” television said, according to AFP.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which closely monitors the fighting in Syria, said senior Nusra Front leaders contacted by activists in Latakia and the eastern Deir el-Zour province denied al-Golani had been killed.
Other Nusra Front sources said they could not confirm or deny the report “because contact with al-Golani was cut,” the Observatory said in a statement. A rebel commander in a Damascus suburb contacted by The Associated Press said he believed al-Golani was “alive and well” based on his contacts with other fighters including those from Nusra Front. He declined to elaborate or be identified for security concerns.
The report comes as the fragmented rebels have suffered significant losses on the battlefield, according to Associated Press. Syrian troops killed at least 40 opposition fighters, including Nusra Front members, earlier Friday in an ambush near Damascus, the government said.
The assassination of al-Nusra front’s leader, if confirmed, is unlikely, however to deal a major blow the ragtag armed opposition groups, said Michael Ryan, a scholar from the Washington DC-based Middle East Institute.
“The way that al-Qaeda affiliates and groups organize themselves, it’s very much like a small corporation, and they always have very experienced people who can move up [to assume leadership],” Ryan told Al Arabiya, noting that other al-Qaeda-linked groups in Syria, including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant are still powerful forces in the conflict-stricken nation.
But Golani’s death could be a boost for the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, which regards any armed opposition as “terrorists,” including the groups that receive support from the West and Arab states.
Earlier this year, the United States declared Golani to be a global terrorist, claiming al-Qaeda had tasked him with installing Islamic Sharia law across Syria and had also ordered numerous suicide bombings.
Al-Nusra was designated a terrorist organization by the United States last year.
(With AFP, AP)
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-25/us-foreign-policy-snafu-deja-vu-us-backed-rebels-lead-al-qaeda-resurgence
US Foreign Policy SNAFU Deja Vu - US-Backed Rebels Lead Al-Qaeda Resurgence
It's happening again. The US lack of intervention in Syria (and implicit and explicit support for the rebels) has apparently emboldened none other than Al-Qaeda. As the WSJ reports, a flurry of recent attacks by al Qaeda-linked militants in Iraq - strengthened by their alliance with jihadist fighters in Syria - is threatening to undo years of U.S. efforts to crush the group, widening sectarian conflict in the Middle East. Iraqi security officials say al Qaeda-linked fighters from the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS, are moving aggressively to re-establish a base of operations in Anbar province, the stronghold of the Sunni insurgency during the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
The chaos across the border in Syria and Iraqi Sunnis' feeling of discrimination under the Shiite-led government has reignited the kind of intense sectarian strife that brought Iraq to the verge of civil war in 2006-2007. A security vacuum left by the withdrawal of American combat troops in December 2011 is also helping the fighters regain a foothold....Iraqi security officials say al Qaeda-linked fighters from the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS, are moving aggressively to re-establish a base of operations in Anbar province, the stronghold of the Sunni insurgency during the U.S.-led war.If the extremists succeed, they would undo one of the hardest-fought gains of U.S. forces and their Iraqi allies. By the time of the U.S. pullout at the end of 2011, the insurgency had been significantly weakened, in large part by a U.S. alliance with moderate Sunni tribesmen....Following recent attacks in Anbar and the northern city of Mosul,Syrian and Iraqi jihadis openly congratulated ISIS operatives on jihadi Web forums.Whereas attacks in the rest of the country tend to be isolated acts of terror such as car and suicide bombings, Anbar officials say attacks in the province look more like muscular efforts to gain and hold territory.The growing instability in Iraqcoincides with the strengthening of jihadist rebels in Syria, many of them foreign fighters, battling to unseat President Bashar al-Assad.The fighters flow fluidly back and forth across the Iraq-Syria border, staging attacks on both sides, Iraqi intelligence officials said...."The regional situation is applying huge pressure on us," said Falih al Essawi, the deputy head of Anbar provincial council and a member in a prominent Sunni tribe. "ISIS is trying to control the borders to find a means to transport weapons, equipment and fighters between the two countries."...While most local residents in Anbar don't support al Qaeda, many see the group as a last bastion of resistance against Shiite domination."ISIS isn't facing any refusal or resistance from the locals," said Mr. Tou'ma, the Shiite legislator....The Obama administration, in turn, has angered its Persian Gulf allies with its overtures to Iran and its decision not to intervene in Syria.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/10/25/331255/ksa-provided-syria-militants-with-cw/
KSA provided CW used in Ghouta attack: Syria UN envoy
Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:35PM GMT
1
BREAKING NEWS
Syrian Ambassador to the UN Bashar al-Ja’afari says Saudi Arabia has provided the militants in Syria with chemical weapons to carry out the deadly attack of August 21 in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta.
“The Saudi intelligence provided this chemical substance to the rebels in the neighborhood of Damascus and asked them to use it against the government and then to accuse the [Syrian] government of doing so,” Ja’afari said on Friday.
It was “something that we warned against it six months before, in an official letter circulated to the Security Council members and to the [UN] Secretary-General, dated December 17,” he added.
The Syrian diplomat also stated that his country has become the victim of the interference of certain countries, including Turkey and Qatar, in its internal affairs.
The Syrian envoy said now that the fact has become crystal clear, the same countries supporting the insurgents are denying their links to these groups.
On September 14, Russia and the United States agreed on a deal, according to which Syria will have its chemical weapons eliminated and the US will in return not carry out planned strikes on the Middle Eastern country.
The agreement came after days of mounted war rhetoric against Syria by the US and some of its allies, which blamed Damascus for a fatal chemical attack on the outskirts of the Syrian capital on August 21.
Damascus has repeatedly denied the accusation, saying the attack was carried out by the militants operating inside the country as a false-flag operation.
Ja’afari also criticized the selective approach taken by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos regarding the situation in Syria.
“Mrs. Amos is not very well briefed by her aides about how far the UN system is deeply involved in refusing this kind of irresponsible and provocative behavior by some member states,” the Syrian diplomat pointed out, adding, “We are acknowledging and saying that yes we have a humanitarian situation prevailing in the country, but we should know and say what are the root causes of this humanitarian situation.”
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011, with the Western powers and their regional allies, especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, supporting the militants operating inside Syria.
In May, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said militants from 29 different countries were fighting against his government in different parts of the country.
According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the violence.
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