Al-Moallem: Syria Determined to Fulfill Reform Program, Preparations Underway for Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference

Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem has underlined that armed terrorist groups seek to destabilize the situation in Syria, and they are funded by similar organizations from neighboring countries.

Meeting a Russian media delegation on Thursday, the Minister clarified that these groups have infiltrated to Syria through the borders and they belong to Al-Qaeda and similar extremist organizations.

Al-Moallem explained to the Russian delegation, currently visiting Syria, the reality of events taking place in Syria, pointing out that the competent authorities seized big amounts of smuggled weapons, as the law enforcement forces are continuing to fulfill their duty in combating the terrorist groups to protect homeland and citizens.

On the comprehensive reform program announced by President Bashar al-Assad, al-Moallem underlined that the Syrian leadership is determined to go ahead in reform process, as the Minister reviewed the steps achieved including lifting the Emergency Law, issuing a package of regulating legislations on forming political parties, holding free parliamentary and local administrative councils elections and on free media.

The Minister pointed out that President al-Assad has set a timetable for executing the reforms within a maximum of six months.

“Preparations are underway for holding a comprehensive national dialogue conference that will embrace all the spectrums of the Syria people and the national opposition,” al-Moallem said.

He added there is an intention for holding an economic dialogue conference with the participation of the Syrian economic bodies to discuss the Syrian economic situation and means of developing it and overcoming the US and European Union economic sanctions, which negatively affect Syrians.

Al-Moallem thanked the friendly Russian people and leadership for their stances in support of Syria, and using, along with the friendly country of China, the veto in the UN Security Council to prevent exploiting this Council by Western countries to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs.

He added that Syria is working on enhancing and activating its economic relations, trade and investments exchange with the friendly countries such as Russia, China, India, Latin American countries and others.

For their parts, members of the Russian delegation expressed admiration over what Syria enjoys of cultural diversity, amity and loyalty, indicating that the situations are not as they are broadcast by some misleading mass media as all walks of life are normal.