Assad raps some European states for allying with terror funders
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has criticized certain European countries for following the supporters of Takfiri terrorist groups active in Syria.
It is a “grave mistake” on the part of some European states to ally themselves with the countries which fund terrorists in Syria, said Assad during a meeting with a Belgian parliamentary delegation in the Syrian capital city of Damascus on Wednesday.
He added that the stance of these European countries with regard to the Syrian crisis pursues “short-sighted visions and narrow interests that don’t serve their people.”
They are trying to manipulate and twist the public opinion in their countries in a bid to justify their failed policy towards Syria’s conflict, Assad pointed out.
The Syrian president also said that the terrorist groups should never be taken to represent Islam, adding that they are in fact defaming the peaceful religion with their heinous crimes.
For their part, the Belgian delegation headed by Filip Dewinter, a member of Belgium’s Flemish Parliament, hailed the determination of the Syrian nation to continue the battle against terrorism and extremism despite outside pressures and economic sanctions on the country’s legitimate government.
On Tuesday, the delegation also held a meeting with Speaker of the Syrian People’s Assembly Mohammad Jihad al-Laham.
“We realize that if Syria falls, Jordan and Lebanon and the Maghreb countries near Europe will fall, as terrorism will reach them too,” said Filip Dewinter, adding, “Syria is correct in its position and it’s on the right track.”
Dewinter also admitted that some 445 Belgian nationals have joined the ranks of Takfiri terrorists in Syria.
“I apologize because terrorists who are fighting in Syria came from all over the world, particularly European countries,” the Belgian lawmaker stated.
Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since March 2011. The violence fueled by Takfiri groups has so far claimed the lives of over 210,000 people, according to reports.
The ISIL Takfiri terrorist group, with members from several Western countries, controls swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, and have been carrying out horrific acts of violence such as public decapitations and crucifixions against all communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.
FNR/AS/MHB
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