Syrian President Bashar al-Assad downplayed expectations for his country’s renewed ties with the Arab world in his first televised interview since Damascus’s membership of the Arab League was restored in May. Speaking to Sky News Arabia in Damascus, Assad also stated that a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was not possible due to a disagreement over the withdrawal of Ankara’s troops from rebel-held northwest Syria. Assad, who had been largely isolated over his crackdown on protests that began in 2011, saw a resumption of ties with the Arab world and Ankara after a deadly earthquake struck Syria and Turkey in February. However, during the interview, Assad tempered expectations for both tracks, including a potential summit with Erdogan.
“Our goal is the withdrawal of Turkey’s troops from Syrian territory, while Erdogan’s goal is to legitimize Turkey’s presence in Syria,” Assad explained. “Therefore, the meeting cannot take place under Erdogan’s conditions.”
Assad enjoyed a warm welcome at the Arab League’s summit in Jeddah in May and held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. When asked about his expectations for the Arab world, Assad replied, “I cannot expect, I can hope,” adding that it was unrealistic to anticipate economic improvements within a few months from the relationships that had started to normalize. Syria’s economy is currently in dire straits due to the collapse of the local currency, tightening sanctions, the financial crisis in neighboring Lebanon, and the loss of oil-producing regions in the northeast.
Assad also addressed allegations that Syria is involved in drug smuggling, particularly the production of the amphetamine-like drug captagon. He called the accusations “illogical” and stated that Syria shares a common interest with Arab states in combating drug smuggling. Several top Syrian officials, including Assad’s brother Maher, have faced new sanctions from the United States and European Union in recent months for their alleged involvement in drug smuggling. These measures supplement the Caesar Act of 2020, which is considered the most extensive and stringent round of sanctions against Syria to date.
Regarding the Caesar Act, Assad said, “It is undoubtedly an obstacle, but we have managed to find ways to circumvent this law.” He mentioned that Syria has had intermittent talks with the United States but does not expect any significant outcomes. Tice did not mention Austin Tice, the American journalist who disappeared in Syria ten years ago. Washington is currently engaged in discussions with Damascus about his fate.
(Reporting by Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily and Kinda Makieh; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Gareth Jones)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
