Subscribe Today
Request a Clip
In a TV interview, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said: "If there are honest intentions to attack ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra in Iraq, in Syria, or in both, we will welcome this." However, he cautioned that "the air strikes will not benefit the war on terrorism, unless there is a coordinated military operation on the ground."
Following are excerpts from the interview, which aired on Russia Today TV on September 22, 2014:
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem: We are the people of this land, and we know best what happens in our land. Therefore, I say that the air strikes will not benefit the war on terrorism, unless there is a coordinated military operation on the ground. The United States is making a mockery of the world when it says that it will not coordinate the attack with the Syrian government, but with the moderate opposition.
This is laughable. What moderate opposition?! They are killing Syrians just like ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra.
[...]
We have said that any violation of Syrian sovereignty would constitute an act of aggression. International law has a clear definition of aggression. But let me tell you that if there are honest intentions to attack ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra in Iraq, in Syria, or in both, we will welcome this. But I must tell you honestly that we have our doubts. We are not worried, but we have our doubts about the true intentions of the Americans, the Israelis, the Turks, and the Saudis by forming this coalition.
These doubts are justified. Therefore, we must draw a distinction. If the purpose is to attack ISIS, none of us will object to that. But if there are other goals, we will not accept that, and the international community must reject this as well. [...]
Latest Clips
