Muallem Dismisses Allegations on Iran, Hezbollah Interference in Syria

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem denied the allegations raised by the US and European media about the interference of Iran and Hezbollah in Syria’s internal affairs.
“Israel is the main enemy of Syria and the western media are busy with provoking the public opinion on Syria,” Muallem told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday.

He dismissed any military intervention by Iran and Hezbollah in dealing with Syrian demonstrators, and said, “The political support (by Iran and Hezbollah) for Syria is meant to help the country pass through the present crisis just like the support expressed for reforms in Syria.”

“But in practice there is no foreign military support (for the Syrian government),” Muallem continued.

Syria has been entangled in a series of riots after the occurrence of popular uprisings in other Arab countries. Syrian President Bashar Assad has appeared in public three times since the riots began, most recently on Monday when he made general promises of reform.

In that speech at Damascus University, the president said a national dialogue would start soon and he was forming a committee to study constitutional amendments, including one that would open the way to forming political parties other than the ruling Baath Party.

He acknowledged demands for reform were legitimate, but he alleged once more than “saboteurs” were exploiting the movement.

On Tuesday, tens of thousands of the Syrian government’s supporters converged on squares in several major cities. “The people want Bashar Assad!” some shouted, releasing black, white and red balloons – colors of the Syrian flag.

The fact that tens of thousands of people were on the streets was a reminder that Assad enjoys a large public support.