Umakhanov: Syria is on the front lines of war against international terrorism

Beirut, SANA- Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russian Federation Ilyas Umakhanov stressed that Syria which is defending its independence nowadays is on the front lines of war against international terrorism , and it is in need for support.

“It is important for us to meet President Bashar al-Assad to recognize how much the dynamism of developments in our relations today suits the new geopolitical events,” Umakhanov said in a meeting with Russian journalists in Beirut.

Commenting on his meeting with President al-Assad, Umakhanov said “We noticed confidence in the language of President al-Assad and we felt of his strong desire to move to reconstructing Syria after the war…President al-Assad loves his country and he is ready to struggle for it.”

During the meeting, President al-Assad also reiterated that countering terrorism will continue determinedly, and that the Syrian Government is ready to hold dialogue to serve the interests of the Syrian people, Umakhanov elaborated.

He clarified that President al-Assad also considered that Russia has restored its position in the world and it has become a single player in the Middle East.

Talks between President al-Assad and the Russian parliamentary delegation have also touched upon prospects of enhancing bilateral cooperation and facing terrorism of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria “ISIS” as well as dialogue among cultures and the work on confronting the extremist radical conflicts, Umakhanov said.

He stressed that members of the Russian delegation were pleased that during the meeting President al-Assad supported the joint initiatives which seek to develop the bilateral cooperation, adding that allowing Russian regions such as the republics of North Caucasus and Volga basin to contribute to this cooperation more were also on the table.

The Russian official indicated that the Syrian side today is tackling the issue of organizing direct flights to those republics and to establish more links through other transportation means, considering that these projects entail restoring peace in Syria in the first place.

Umakhanov affirmed that the military-technical cooperation and the humanitarian aid were on the top priorities of Syria, indicating that the visit of the Russian delegation came in the framework of the continued communications with the Syrian leadership.

Last Sunday, the Russian delegation stressed in a meeting with President al-Assad that Russia will continue to stand by the Syrian people and will enhance their resilience in the face of the terrorist war waged against them, particularly as Syria is the main front of countering international terrorism and the extremist mentality.

R. al-Jazaeri / Ghossoun