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Certain countries unwilling to resolve Syria crisis: Halqi

Thursday, 21 April 2016 5:22 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 21 April 2016 6:00 PM ]

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi ©AP

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi says a number of Western and regional countries are not willing to see a political solution to the conflict gripping the Middle Eastern state.

In an interview with Russia’s RIA news agency on Thursday, Halqi accused Saudi Arabia, Turkey, France, Britain and Qatar of fuelling fighting, arming terrorists and seeking the collapse of a recent ceasefire in the Arab country.

“These regimes are working to escalate terrorist actions, support terrorists and destroy the cessation of hostilities agreement agreed by Russia and the United States,” he said.

The truce, which went into effect on February 27 across Syria, initially reduced violence there, but fighting has picked up again in recent weeks, leaving the ceasefire in tatters.

The remarks came three days after the so-called opposition group High Negotiations Committee (HNC) left the latest round of the Syria peace talks, which began in the Swiss city of Geneva on April 13, to protest at what they called the Damascus government’s truce violations.

Commenting on the HNC’s withdrawal from the Geneva negotiations, Halqi said the discussions are underway despite the decision of “Riyadh opposition” delegation to suspend its participation in the talks.

UN deputy special envoy to Syria, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy (R), attends a meeting with Syrian ambassador to the UN and the government chief negotiator, Bashar al-Ja’afari (3rd L), as part of Syria peace talks at in Geneva, Switzerland, April 20, 2016. ©AFP

Elsewhere in his comments, the Syrian premier also noted that thousands of terrorists have crossed from Turkey into Aleppo Province and its countryside over the past week.

Referendum to come under new government

Meanwhile, Halqi stressed that Damascus will hold a referendum on the constitution following the establishment of a new government.

“As for the current constitution, it is expected that it will be in force until its validity ends, and then it is planned to reach an agreement on changing some articles of the constitution or adopting a new one and holding a national referendum on the issue,” he said.

The Syrian prime minister also went on to say that parliamentary elections will be held in Syria following the constitutional referendum.

The new Syrian administration must include representatives of the current cabinet, independent politicians and the national opposition, he added.

Supported by allies, the Syrian people, government and army are fighting terrorism while working on restoring stability and security to all areas across the country, Halqi said.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. Backed by Russia’s air cover, Syrian forces have managed to retake many militant-held areas over the past few months.

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