Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani said on Saturday that Israel's continued violations in southern Syria pose a direct threat to regional stability, stressing that Syria rejects any attempts to divide its territory and adheres to its national unity.
This came during al-Shaibani's speech at the 34th Arab League Summit held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, which witnessed wide participation from Arab leaders and heads of state, as well as regional and international organizations.
Al-Shaibani pointed out that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, particularly in the south, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, warning that these violations "open the door to further chaos and hinder efforts to achieve calm in the region."
He emphasized that maintaining the security of southern Syria is an integral part of Syria's security and territorial integrity, calling for a unified Arab position that supports Syria's right to regain its full sovereignty.
Al-Shaibani praised US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria, describing it as "an important step toward national recovery and reconstruction."
He emphasized that this decision was the result of effective mediation by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, expressing his gratitude to the Arab countries that supported Syria, most notably Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The Syrian minister said, "Lifting sanctions is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a path that we hope will be paved with Arab cooperation to achieve development and preserve national security."
Regarding internal affairs, Al-Shaibani emphasized that Syria "categorically rejects any project that seeks to divide the country under any pretext," believing that some external powers are exploiting the Syrian crisis to serve their own agendas.
He pointed out that Syria continues to face multiple challenges, most notably the remnants of ISIS, attempts to fuel civil conflict, and support separatist groups. He added that the solution lies in comprehensive national reconciliation.
Al-Shaibani revealed that the Syrian government is putting the final touches to launching the work of a national parliament representing all Syrians, in addition to drafting a permanent constitution that enshrines rights, protects sovereignty, and establishes the rule of law.
He said, "We do not seek to prolong the conflict... Rather, we aspire to a true victory for peace that will turn the page on pain and establish a new Syria with the unity of its people."
The 34th Arab Summit is being held under the slogan "Dialogue, Solidarity, and Development," amidst pressing issues, most notably the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which has now reached its twentieth month, along with the situations in Syria, Sudan, Lebanon, and Libya.
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