SYRIA: Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister accuses Turkey of providing weapons to rebel fighters and of supporting "terrorists"

Record ID: 281376

  • Title: SYRIA: Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister accuses Turkey of providing weapons to rebel fighters and of supporting "terrorists"
  • Date: 23rd August 2012
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (AUGUST 23, 2012) (REUTERS) SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, FAISAL MIQDAD, IN ELEVATOR VARIOUS OF MIQDAD SPEAKING TO REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, FAISAL MIQDAD, SAYING: "I am always optimistic because the crisis in Syria should end. The aspects that have fuelled this crisis are well known. Armed groups, terrorist groups,
  • Embargoed: 7th September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA63O1A75UM4208OHCFMALCR2AZ
  • Story Text: Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad again accused Turkey on Thursday (August 23) of providing rebels with sophisticated weapons to fight in the country.
    Mr Miqdad said that while he was optimistic that progress would be made in the ongoing crisis, he claimed Turkey is giving unburdened access to al-Qaeda supporters to travel to Syria.

    ""I am always optimistic because the crisis in Syria should end. The aspects that have fuelled this crisis are well known. Armed groups, terrorist groups, support by regional circles including the dangerous support by Turkey of the terrorist gangs, of providing these with sophisticated weapons and giving each terrorist in the world including al-Qaeda free access to Turkey to come to Syria," Miqdad said, after meeting with UNSMIS Chief, Babacar Gaye, in Damascus.
    Syria has previously accused Turkey and regional countries of fuelling the crisis by supporting rebels with weapons.
    Miqdad said Syria accepted the appointment of Lakhdar Ibrahimi as the new international envoy to work on solving the 17-month crisis. He also expressed his country's willingness to co-operate with Ibrahimi.

    "We accept his appointment and we are looking forward to have good work together with him and to see what ideas he is carrying for potential solutions for the problem here, but as we co-operated with the Arab mission, with the UN mission, we shall definitely co-operate with Mr. Ibrahimi if he wishes so," Miqdad said.
    Ibrahimi was assigned as the new international envoy to Syria after Kofi Annan resigned from the post.
    Miqdad said Syria is waiting for the U.N. secretariat to specify future steps after monitors leave the country.
    The U.N. mission suspended operations in June after monitors came under fire and most have already departed, leaving a small liaison office in the capital in case a chance for a political settlement to the bloodshed ever emerges.
    Battling a 17-month-old uprising against his family's 42-year rule, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used fighter jets and helicopter gunships to pound rebel strongholds.
    Insurgents have stepped up their own attacks, hitting tanks, military convoys and security buildings.
    The mandate of the monitoring mission, known as UNSMIS, expired on Sunday (August 19). The last monitors are due to leave by Friday (August 24).
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