Syrian prioritizes counter terrorism as prelude to political solution

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Thursday that his government prioritizes counter terrorism as a prelude to any political solution for the country's long-running conflict, according to the state news agency SANA.

The remarks were made during a meeting held between al-Moallem and the visiting United Nations envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

Al-Moallem said Syria will study the "ideas" put forward by Mistura and will take the "adequate stance toward his initiative."

Syria posed a number of questions to Mistura on the plan, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council on Aug. 17.

"We are awaiting his answers," Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said early September. "Once we have received the answers, we will determine our decision toward his initiative."

Mistura's plan calls for the formation of four working groups that would include representatives from both the government and Syrian opposition groups.

The groups' focus would be on four fields: safety and protection, including ending the blockade and ensuring the arrival of medical aid; political and constitutional issues, such as establishing an interim government board and holding elections; military and security issues, including the fight against terrorism and a cease-fire; and public institutions and development, with a focus on reconstruction of the country.

The groups would examine political reforms and form a transitional authority.

Syria has been in the throes of conflict since 2011, when opposition actions against the government of President Bashar al-Assad evolved into a running war that also saw the emergence of al-Qaida-linked groupings such as the Nursra Front and extremist groups like the Islamic State (IS).

According to UN estimates, an estimated 220,000 people have been killed in the conflict and half of the Syrian population displaced, fuelling an exodus of refugees to neighboring states, Europe and other countries.

In a recent interview with Russian media, Assad blamed the growing outflow of refugees on the West, which he said has been supporting "terrorists" in Syria. Endit