Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
New York, SANA- Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Dr. Fayssal Mikdad, has reiterated the need to lift the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States and some Western states on Syria, stressing at the same time the necessity to increase aid provided to the Syrian people.
In response to a question by the Russian Sputnik News Agency about whether other countries should increase the volume of aid to Syria, Mikdad said, “Of course yes… the sanctions imposed by the United States, as well as unilateral coercive measures, are stifling the Syrian people.”
In another context, Minister Mikdad renewed Syria’s demand for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation forces from the lands it occupies, saying “The main reason for the escalation in Idleb region is the Turkish occupation and the support Turkey provides to terrorist organizations there.”
Turkey should withdraw immediately and the international community should support Syria’s efforts to liberate the occupied lands north of the country, Mikdad said.
The Foreign and Expatriates Minister added that he intends to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East.
He noted that the discussions between the two sides “will focus on the outstanding relations between Russia and Syria, as well as coordination between the two countries and the United Nations and the situation in the region as a whole.”
Mikdad also indicated that he intends to meet the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the General Assembly, to assure him of “Syria’s desire to build better relations with the international organization.”
We will ask the United Nations to play the role of the United Nations and uphold the United Nations Charter and its core principles, and we will stress that we strive for a better relationship with the United Nations system, Mikdad said.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri
