Syria supports the Chinese government taking appropriate and necessary measures to protect safety, stability and public order in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China, Syrian Ambassador to China Khalaf Al-Jarad said on Friday.

In a written interview with Xinhua, Al-Jarad said the Syrian government fully supports China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is against any excuse or reason to interfere in the country's internal affairs.

After hearing about the riot in Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang, on July 5, Al-Jarad, on behalf of his government, strongly condemned the disregard for normal public order and the violation of laws.

"Xinjiang is an integral part of China," Al-Jarad said, "the threatening of Xinjiang's safety, stability and public order will only harm China's development and progress, and is toxic to national unity."

Al-Jarad said he believed the July 5 riot was aimed at disturbing stability, sabotaging harmony and communication among the various ethnic groups, and damaging social development by those who wish to cause chaos in the Chinese society.

He said it was necessary for the Chinese government to take actions to protect Xinjiang's stability, restore law and order, and prevent extremists and outside forces from attempting to sabotage Xinjiang's peace and stability.

Al-Jarad said violence has nothing to do with religion, and goes against the religious doctrines of peace and fraternity.

He said he had been deeply impressed by Xinjiang's prosperity when he visited China in 2003 in the capacity of the chief editor of a Syrian newspaper.

He said that the 56 ethnic groups in China share equal rights and jointly shoulder responsibilities to develop the country.

"Religious people of different ethnic groups in Xinjiang lead normal lives, live together in peace and harmony like brothers and sisters, and are content with their lives. This is typical of the Chinese society at large," Al-Jarad said.

Referring to China's relations with the Arab world, Al-Jarad said China has been sharing mutual support, mutual respect and solid traditional friendship with Arab and Islamic countries. He hoped China and these countries could strengthen cultural exchanges and dialogue, so as to promote mutual understanding and communication.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2009)