MOSCOW, (SANA)- Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, Vladimir, Platonov, highlighted the pivotal role Syria plays in the Middle East region, stressing the deep historical ties binding Damascus and Moscow.
During his meeting on Friday with the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badr-Eddin Hassoun, Platonov said the citizens of Moscow, just like the citizens of Russia, condemn the terrorist aggressive acts currently facing Syria, reaffirming Russia's support for Syria at the UN and other international forums.
Platonov also reiterated his country's rejection of any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Syria.
For his part, Mufti Hassoun hailed the harmony he has witnessed among the citizens of Moscow, which is of different religions and nationalities, highlighting that Syria is still living the same atmosphere of accord and harmony, was it not for the extremists and terrorists who trying today to stir sedition and antipathy.
Hassoun expressed thanks to Russia, leadership and people, for its principled stances towards Syria, stressing that the US and some European and Arab countries are trying to extort the international community's will and incite it against Syria.
He added that those parties are attempting to create religion-based countries in the region and stir wars among them to take over the region similar to what they did in Yugoslavia, citing also the destruction of Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan at the hands of these parties.
Attending the meeting, the Syrian Ambassador in Moscow, Riyad Haddad, said the world is witnessing the birth of a new world order in which Russia will play a pioneer role towards achieving justice and equality in the international relations.
Following the meeting, Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, Platonov expressed in a statement to SANA correspondent his pride in his country's use of veto at the Security Council to halt interference in Syria's affairs.
He voiced his deep sorrow over what is happening in Syria, stressing that it is only the Syrian people who have the right to determine their own destiny.
Earlier, Mufti Hassoun and Ambassador Haddad met with Chairman of the Russian Duma Committee for Public and Religious Associations, Vyacheslav Milonov, and Head of the Spiritual Leadership of Muslims in Russia, Sheikh Talgat Tajeddin.
The meeting discussed means of developing and boosting friendship and cooperation relations between Syria and Russia in the political, economic, religious, cultural and educational fields.
Hassoun: Russian Veto for Syria Is Victory to Justice in the World...Unipolar World Is Destroying Arab and Islamic World
Later, in a phone call with the Syrian TV, Mufti Hassoun said he felt during his visit to Russia a real understanding of the situation in Syria and the Middle East region.
He noted that Russian government and people consider their stances in terms of the veto regarding Syria as a victory not only for the Syrians but also for justice in the world and for Russia that has restored its position in the international arena and is saying 'No' to the unipolar world, which Hassoun said has started destroying the Arab, Islamic and the human world in the name of the 'Arab Spring'.
Commenting on the release of the U.S. produced "Innocence of Muslims" film, the Grand Mufti affirmed the existence of a "dirty Western game" aimed at stirring the Muslims' feelings through such films that offend Islam and using their reaction to tarnish the image of Islam and the Muslims.
He underscored how the European and American satellite channels are now overlooking the film which stirred protest in several areas in the Arab and Islamic countries and focusing only on the citizens who attacked the U.S. embassies in expression of their deep rage over the film.
Mufti Hassoun wondered why the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held tens of meetings for destroying Syria and not even a meeting to denounce the film, calling on those organizations to meet today because what is being targeted today is the Islamic and Arab world in its message and values.
H. Said
