Syria vows to ease return of opposition members

Syrian Interior Minister says Damascus will facilitate the return of opposition members to take part in a national dialogue called by President Bashar al-Assad.

“Executive orders will be issued to border crossings to facilitate and guarantee that all political opposition forces may enter the country, maintain residency and leave at will,” Syrian state news agency SANA quoted Mohammed al-Shaar as saying on Saturday.

The orders were outlined during a meeting between high-ranking ministry officials and Shaar, who reiterated his country’s critical stance towards the foreign-backed insurgents who use violence against the people and government of Syria.

“There is a big difference between those who safeguard their nation and those who are complicit in foreign agendas,” he said.

In a key speech on January 6, Assad called for an end to the terrorist operations inside Syria and urged “concerned states and parties” to stop funding, arming and harboring militants.

He said his government is always ready to hold talks with the opposition and political parties and will call for a “comprehensive national dialog” after foreign parties end their support for the militants and the terrorist activities cease in the country.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed in the turmoil.

Iran hosted a two-day meeting between the representatives of the Syrian government and opposition groups in November 2012 with participants unanimously opposing foreign interference and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Arab country.

According to a UN report, militants from 29 countries have so far filtered into Syria to fight against the Damascus government, most of whom are extremist Salafists.

The Syrian government has repeatedly said that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and that a very large number of the militants operating in the country are foreign nationals.