KABUL: (Middle East Press) Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he and his government will continue to support President Bashar al-Assad to combat “terrorism” in the Middle East, amid ongoing battle between Damascus and the Takfiri ISIL terrorists.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Assad’s foreign minister, Walid al-Moualem, on the Black Sea as part of Moscow’s renewed diplomatic push to restart peace talks on Syria.

“Our policy of supporting Syria, its leadership and its people remains unchanged,” Putin said Monday during the meeting.

Putin also said he was assured that the “Syrian people will win in the final run,” noting that “success is always compounded with some problems and military mishaps.”

He added the current crisis in Syria stems from “the aggression by the forces of international terrorism.”

Also on Monday, the Syrian foreign minister met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and discussed the recent developments in the Arab country.

In the meeting, Lavrov said Moscow will continue to support Syria in the fight against terrorism, adding that Russia has provided “all possible assistance to increase [Syria’s] ability to resist the evil” and would “continue doing this.”

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Muallem lashed out at the United States for overtly supporting the terrorists fighting against the Syrian government, saying Washington has allocated USD 1 billion to support terrorists operating in Syria.

“The Americans are making no secret of their support for terrorists,” he said, adding that Damascus is facing “double standards,” from the side of the US as it keeps demanding a political solution but at the same time financially backs the terrorists.

Muallem said that 2,100 militants, armed with most sophisticated weapons, were recently deployed in Syria’s south, adding that those backing the terrorists in Syria are hampering efforts aimed at reaching a settlement.

The terrorists, operating in Syria since early 2011, have been logistically and financially supported by Western powers and some of their regional allies – especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

According to reports, the crisis in Syria has so far left more than 230,000 people – including almost 11,500 children – dead.

 

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