European states must stop backing Syria's terrorists: Assad

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has called on European states to stop their support for Takfiri terrorists and recognize the Syrian nation’s right to decide its own fate

Assad made the remarks in a meeting with a joint delegation, comprising Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and members of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, in Damascus on Thursday, official SANA news agency reported.

If the European countries want to help Syrian people, they must first stop supporting terrorists and lift the unjust blockade, which affects the basics of Syrians’ life, he said.

The Syrian head of state also urged European officials to recognize that the solution to the crisis in the country is only in the hands of the Syrian people. 

President Assad further called on Western officials to admit that the terrorist attacks taking place in their countries are a result of their wrong policies.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Syrian president called for eliminating Wahhabism, promoted by Saudi Arabia, saying such a move is needed for the success of any anti-terror operation.

He also hailed Russia’s support for Syria, saying it is not only defending the Syrians’ security, but is also ensuring the security of Russians and Europeans.

Members of the delegation, for their part, stressed that their trip was aimed at witnessing the realities on the ground in Syria and expressing solidarity with the Syrian people in the war against terrorism.

They further congratulated Syrians on their recent victory in the flashpoint city of Aleppo and rejected any foreign interference in Syria’s domestic affairs.

ME