MOSCOW, February 15 (Itar-Tass) — Syria’s authorities have no plans to conduct talks with the armed groups, Syrian ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad said on Wednesday.
“We are ready to hold talks with the systemic opposition, but as far as terrorist groups and mercenaries are concerned we apply the following principle – those, who carry weapons, should be talked with through the use of weapons,” he said.
“We cannot conduct talks with people who kill civilians, including teachers, scientists and outstanding personalities,” Haddad said. “We see such a solution to the crisis – on the one hand, we continue to carry out reforms, and on the other hand – to resist these armed groups.”
“Armed terrorists, who get financing from the outside, rage in the country; they kill civilians, undertake sabotage attacks on infrastructure and statehood,” the envoy said. “In fact, Syria counteracts terrorism.”
The diplomat noted that “most groups are formed of Al-Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood terrorists as well as mercenaries and criminals.”
“Among them are citizens of other countries as well as paperless persons, who are evidently not Syrians,” he said. “These groups comprise several thousand people.”