In unprecedented step, Damascus govt agrees to implement 2254

Yesterday, RT Network conducted an interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Damascus government, Faisal Al-Miqdad, in which the latter affirmed his government's readiness to implement Resolution 2254 in line with his country's interests.

Worth to note this is the first time - since the issuance of the resolution - that a senior official from the Damascus government talks about implementation of the UN resolution.

The UN Resolution 2254 - which was approved on December 18, 2015 - provides for the start of peace talks in Syria in January 2016, and while stressing that the Syrian people are the ones who decide the future of the country, it called for the formation of a transitional government and holding elections under UN auspices, calling for an end to any attacks against civilians immediately.

Resolution No. 2254 included adopting the Geneva Declaration and supporting the Vienna Declaration on Syria, as the basic ground for achieving the political transition process with the aim of ending the conflict in Syria, and stressed that the Syrian people will determine the future of Syria.

The resolution expresses the Security Council's support for the Syrian political track under the supervision of the United Nations to form a credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governing body, and to adopt the course of drafting a new constitution for Syria within six months.

The resolution also calls for free and fair elections based on the new constitution within 18 months, under the supervision of the United Nations.

In order to achieve these goals, Resolution 2254 recommended that all parties in Syria take confidence-building measures in order to contribute to the chances of a political process and a permanent ceasefire.

In a related context, Al-Miqdad pointed out during the meeting that his government is seeking a political solution that ends terrorism and Western sanctions. He also expressed the willingness of the Damascus government to support the Constitutional Committee and that they are ready to work with it after creating the conditions.

Regarding the return of the Damascus government's relations with Saudi Arabia, he indicated that he felt in Saudi Arabia a promising future and the return of relations to normal, and he also called for deepening relations with all Arab countries.

About the Russian efforts to normalize relations between the Damascus government and the Turkish occupation state, Al-Miqdad considered that "the meeting of the Syrian president with his Turkish counterpart depends on the exit of the Turkish forces from the Syrian territories."

Concerning the drug smuggling file, Al-Miqdad made the point clear that the smuggling of drugs through Syrian territory because of weak capabilities of the security forces.

a.k

ANHA