Syria foreign minister accuses US of double-standard policy
Iran Press TV
Sat Mar 2, 2013 6:50PM GMT
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has condemned Washington's double-standard policy towards the ongoing crisis in Syria, saying the US can stop bloodshed in the Arab country.
Al-Muallem said on Saturday that the US and certain European and Arab countries impose economic sanctions against Syria, on one hand, and, on the other hand, give USD60 million dollars in the form of the so-called non-lethal aid to the Syrian opposition.
Al-Muallem made the remarks in a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Iran's capital, Tehran on Saturday.
"We welcome political resolution (of the crisis) but someone who seeks political solution should not punish the Syrian people on one hand and give another group non-lethal aid," the Syrian foreign minister added.
Al-Muallem said the US can stop the bloodshed and violence in Syria if it decides to pursue political resolution of the country's crisis.
In a meeting of the so-called 'Friends of Syria' in the Italian capital, Rome, on Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry promised an additional USD60 million in aid to the opposition Syrian National Coalition headed by Moaz al-Khatib.
Kerry also said the Washington would provide direct support to militant forces in the form of medical and food supplies.
The Syrian foreign minister said Damascus will not allow anyone to undermine Syria's independence and sovereignty.
Unrest has gripped Syria for nearly two years and clashes continue between the Syrian army and the foreign-backed militant groups.
Many people, including large numbers of Syrian army and security personnel, have been killed in the turmoil.
The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and that a very large number of the militants operating in the country are foreign nationals.
MYA/SS
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