Pouring arms into Syria, disheartening: Expert

Press TV has conducted an interview with Massoud Shadjareh, head of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, about Syrian deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Meqdad calling on the United States and its allies to stop arming terrorist groups who are fighting against the Syrian government.

What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview.

Press TV: We saw Mr. Meqdad there saying that the United States because it said it is going to continue its support for the militants in his words giving weapons to terrorists is not interested in a solution to this crisis. Would you agree with that statement?

Shadjareh: Well I think the real issue here is that we need to have very clear sort of demilitarization of Syria and the only solution for Syria currently is a negotiation, a political solution. Military solution is not really, everybody accepts that it is not going to move forward.

So to see that further arms is going to be poured into this conflict, it really is very disheartening especially when we see that there is very strong element of Takfiri sort of elements, terrorist groups who are really creating huge havoc for everyone in Syria.

They have come from different nations; they have come with heavily arms and no compassion. They are killing even their own fellow companions. And to see further escalation of arming groups like that or indeed encouraging that, it really means that people who are doing that really have no heart in seeing a real solution which could be only a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria.

And as a result of that, there is going to be more death, more destruction of all sides and really it is disheartening to see so many innocent people are perishing on a daily and weekly basis.

Press TV: Well we saw Lakhdar Brahimi yesterday Mr. Shadjareh giving a brief rather press conference as he came out of talks with both sides and he was saying he thinks that the will exists both from the government and from the opposition to continue the talks.

But what are the prospects for Geneva II while this fighting is taking place inside Syria? Do you think the fact that the two sides are talking is still a positive sign and what would you say is the main stumbling block in this, as you say political or peaceful solution, to actually work?

Shadjareh: I really think that the most important aspect of this whole thing is to see an end to a fighting and to really bring some sort of ceasefire because you know as I said ordinary innocent Syrians on all sides are the ones who are really dying in large number and suffering.

So there has to be a ceasefire, there has to be a political solution and to put conditions for those ceasefires and to put conditions that X or Y has to leave before we stop fighting, it is totally unacceptable because you know, I think enough people have died.

We all have a convenient of our interest is to see the end to killing and I really think we all need to think about the innocent children, women who are not just dying but are deprived of medicine, they are deprived of every basic needs in education, etc., etc. and we need to bring an end and ceasefire on any terms or conditions …

Press TV: But Mr. Shadjareh, just before I let you go, would you agree with those who say that this Geneva process is not going to work at all before these other sides that are involved, the militant groups inside Syria, the regional countries supporting them or the intervention that we are seeing is tackled first?

So would you say that this conference is basically useless under the current circumstances?

Shadjareh: I think it is useless for the reasons that you mentioned but also more. It is useless because international community and some of the regional powers and those who are encouraging these Takfiri elements into the region, are not really willing to stop this and I think the reality is that whatever happens in Syria, it has to be the decision of Syrians and not people outside.

People outside need to be encouraged to be part of the solution to come to the meetings, regional powers of all without any exception need to be part of this and they need to become active part of the solution.

I think those elements that are bringing the Takfiri elements into this conflict are actually not very interested in seeing any sort of peaceful solution. There are some elements including the Zionist … [entity] that wants to see the continuation of conflict in the region because that is what they presume is going to bring them peace and tranquility and safety and security.