President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with a delegation from Sweida on Monday, a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made statements claiming to protect the Druze majority in the southern province, and that he would not allow the presence of the new army in the area overlooking the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
According to the Sweida 24 website, the meeting focused on the security and living conditions, in addition to political partnership and the future of the state.
The delegation included Sheikh Suleiman Abdul Baqi, and Sheikh Laith al-Balaous/head of the Men of Dignity Movement, the most prominent opposition group to the Syrian regime since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, and included Sheikh Mounes Abu Hala, as representatives of some of the armed factions in Sweida, in addition to Engineer Karam Munther, and other figures.
Munther told Suwayda 24 that the meeting touched on the recent Israeli statements about southern Syria, where the attendees stressed the adherence of the people of the mountain to the unity of Syrian lands and the rejection of any foreign interference, emphasizing that the people of Suwayda are the ones who endured injustice and tyranny for decades, and do not need any external guardianship, but rather want a state based on fair law.
He added that the attendees confirmed their rejection of a state based on sectarian quotas, stressing the need to build a democratic state in which priority is given to those with competence. They also reiterated that the compass of Suwayda will always point towards Damascus.
For his part, President Al-Sharaa spoke about investment projects that will be implemented in Suwayda, in addition to discussing the possibility of opening a border crossing with Jordan, where Al-Shara confirmed that he will present the file to the Jordanian side because it requires the approval of the two countries and joint coordination.
Al-Sharaa stressed at the same time that investment projects will be a priority in the next stage, and the state's policy will be based on attracting investments and relying on Syrian capabilities to build the army, security and institutions, while benefiting from foreign expertise.
The Syrian president added that a new Syrian government is expected to be formed in early March, explaining that it will be based on competencies and expertise, not sectarian or regional quotas.
On the service side, Dr. Mustafa Bakour, the governor of Sweida, presented a file that includes the most prominent needs of the governorate in several institutions, including, where Al-Sharaa confirmed that work will be done to address them immediately.
In addition, Sheikh Laith Al-Balaous stated in a media statement to Al-Rased website that the meeting was fruitful, and discussed the conditions of the governorate and the difficult economic reality it suffers from as a result of its marginalization by the former regime.
Al-Balaous added, "We also stressed on improving the service reality and launching development projects within the governorate. He also emphasized the positions of his father, Wahid Al-Balaous, founder of the Men of Dignity Movement, "that we are patriots and do not accept division and separation and we only have one homeland, which is mother Syria."
With Suwayda24
Zaman Al Wasl
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