Damascus, December 8 (IANS). Syria’s interior minister has claimed that there is a “very strong security cordon” on the outskirts of Damascus and it cannot be broken.
The minister has refuted recent claims of shifting forward positions amid the ongoing conflict in the country.
In a separate statement, Jassim al-Mahmoud, deputy governor of rural Damascus province, told FM radio on Saturday evening that there was no truth in reports of the army’s withdrawal from several towns and villages near the capital, Xinhua news agency reported. Instead, he said, troops are redeploying and regrouping inside the areas rather than withdrawing completely.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Presidency refuted “fabrications” spread by foreign media. It had spread rumors that President Bashar Assad had left Damascus or gone on a sudden trip abroad.
The Presidency stressed that Assad continues to perform his constitutional duties in the capital and that any official information about the President’s activities will be released only through state-run media and official channels of the Presidential Office.
Iranian Foreign Minister Saeed Abbas Araghchi said in Doha that Tehran, Moscow and Ankara have agreed that political talks should begin between the Syrian government and rebel groups, according to the official news agency IRNA.
He made this comment while addressing journalists. He discussed in detail the results of the joint meeting with Russian and Turkish counterparts on Syria under the Astana format at the 22nd Doha Forum held on 7-8 December.
Describing the situation in Syria as “very important”, Araghchi said, “All those attending the meeting agreed that hostilities in Syria should end immediately, while respecting Syria’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.” Must go.”
–IANS
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