Assad to de Mistura: Keeping Silent on Terrorists’ Crimes Encourages Terrorism

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called the world countries on Tuesday to realize the threat posed by terrorism on their security and stability.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called the world countries on Tuesday to realize the threat posed by terrorism on their security and stability.

Receiving the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, who arrived in Damascus on Monday, President Assad asked the world to take a "clear and bold" stand against all who fund, arm and facilitate the movement of terrorists and against all who disregard the Security Council’s resolutions related to countering terrorism in the region.

Assad- de Mistura talks revolved around the massacre which terrorists committed in Aleppo on Monday, shelling civilians with rockets and leaving 23 people killed and over 100 others wounded.

The bilateral discussion also focused oon the importance of restoring security to Syria and preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He made it clear that remaining silent in response to the terrorists’ crimes encourages them to commit more acts of terror.

The UN envoy explained during the meeting that his visit to Syria is aimed at updating President Assad with the results of the consultations he recently held in the Swiss city Geneva with Syrian sides representing various components of the Syrian society.

De Mistura began consultations on Syria in early May, to which a delegation from the Syrian government was invited along with 40 Syrian sides and 20 international sides.

The consultations took the form of separate talks held with different sides at the UN headquarters in Geneva away from media coverage. The preliminary stage of the consultations was expected to last for five to six weeks.

The UN Envoy added during his meeting with the President that he intended through his visit to discuss the next steps that need to be taken in order for him to complete his report on Syria, which he is going to put forth to the Security Council by late July.

It was agreed at the end of the meeting to continue consultations until reaching an effective political solution to the crisis in Syria.

De Mistura’s latest visit to Syria was last February, when he met Assad who renewed Syria’s readiness to support any initiative or ideas that would contribute to solving the crisis in the country.