Syria to U.N.: Israel assisted terrorists, we'll liberate Golan Heights
"Any force in Syria without authorization is an occupying force."
By JULIANE HELMHOLDUpdated: SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 19:53Deputy Prime Minister for Syrian Arab Republic Walid Al-Moualem addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 23, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS/EDUARDO MUNOZ)
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem addressed the UN General Assembly on Saturday, saying that Israel was responsible for terrorism in the war-torn country because of frequent attacks.Muallem continued by arguing that the country was now ready for the voluntary return of refugees who fled during the more than seven-year conflict as the battle against terrorism is almost over."We welcome any assistance with reconstruction from those countries that were not part of the aggression on Syria," he said. "The countries that offer only conditional assistance or continue to support terrorism, they are neither invited nor welcome to help."In addition, the Syrian FM said that the country was determined to liberate the 'occupied' Golan Heights from Israel.He also invited a commission of inquiry into Syria, proving that all chemical weapons had been dismantled.On the sidelines of the UNGA, Muallem met with his Iranian counterpart earlier in the day, discussing the implementation of the Russian-Turkish memorandum on the creation of the demilitarized zone in Syrian Idlib, the Russian Sputnik news agency reported."The discussion revolved around the latest meetings between the guarantors of the Astana process, the implementation of the Sochi agreements and the constitutional commission. The sides agreed to continue consultations, cooperation and coordination," the Syrian Foreign Ministry said as quoted by Sputnik.The Russian-Turkish deal has, for now, averted a full-scale Syrian government offensive in Idlib, which along with adjacent areas of the northwest is the rebels' last major foothold. The agreement requires "radical" insurgents to withdraw from a demilitarized zone along the frontlines by October 15.The demilitarized zone agreed by Turkey and Russia will be 15 to 20 km (10 to 12 miles) deep and run along the contact line between rebel and government fighters. It will be patrolled by Turkish and Russian forces.The Sputnik report added that Muallem asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to confirm that the United Nations was ready to make efforts to work to provide humanitarian aid and promote the political process without any external intervention.Seth J. Frantzman and Reuters contributed to this report.
