Assad: Foreign attack intensified when situation began to improve

Syrian President Bashar Assad said Sunday that the steps taken by Syria are focused on two goals: to implement political reforms and to end the attacks by armed groups. “The foreign attack on Syria was stepped up when the situation in the country began to improve”, he said.     

When meeting with a delegation from Latin America, Assad said that the ongoing reform process is based on a sovereign decision and is not linked to any external dictates.   

For their part, the Latin delegation’s members stressed their countries' keenness to Syria's stability. They also condemned the political and media campaign against Syria. “Our countries will stand by Syria in all fields”.   

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Sunday that Damascus will adopt strict measures against any country that recognizes the “illegitimate” Syrian National Council recently formed in Istanbul.   

In a joint press conference with a delegation of ALBA countries’ foreign ministers on Sunday, Moallem denied knowing of any Russian mediation for dialogue with the opposition.   
Moallem called on the opposition to participate in the national dialogue to build the country’s future, stressing that “terrorist groups” were behind the assassination of Kurdish leader Mishaal al-Tammo.