Alwaght- Syria says it was no surprised by Russia's withdrawal of its forces the country and that the move is positive.
"The Russian decision to withdraw partially from Syria was taken jointly by a common decision, taken both by President Putin and President Assad. So it wasn't a surprise for us," Bashar Ja'afari, head of the Syrian delegation at peace talks in Geneva, told reporters after a meeting at the United Nations.
He also rejected talk of a federal model for Syria and said the government was not yet willing to have direct peace talks with the main opposition delegation.
Meanwhile Syrian Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban said the reduction of the contingent of the Russian forces in Syria is a natural and positive step.
Speaking to al-Mayadeen TV channel on Tuesday, Shaaban added that all the fuss made by so many sides about the Russian decision aims at diverting attention from the Russian achievements in the fight against terrorism in Syria, compared to what the western coalition has done.
“The Russian step wasn’t surprising or worrying to the Syrian government as it was discussed with the Syrian government and the sides concerned on the ground. The issue was carefully studied,” Shaaban clarified.
She went on saying that “This step is natural and positive especially after the cessation of hostilities agreement has been going on effectively in a feasible way to all sides.”
The Russian side, she said, announced from the beginning that its presence in Syria would not be permanent and long, adding that the Russian decision to reduce forces also took into account what was achieved by these forces, in cooperation with the Syrian army and the allies of Iran and Hezbollah in terms of assuming control of large swathes of Syrian territory.
“The Russian step came to prove that the Russian presence in Syria was positive and effective,” said Shaaban. “We are entering a new stage of coordination between the US and Russia,” she added.
She elaborated that Syria’s relationships with Iran, Russia and Hezbollah are based on consultation and coordination before any decision is made.
Shaaban clarified further that Russia’s bases in Hmeimim and Tartous are still there, adding if Russia pulls out some of its forces, this doesn’t mean that they couldn’t return any time because “our relation with Russia is strategic and not a transient one and that will not change.”
She saw that the next step will be to pressure Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar into implementing the UN Security Council Resolution Number 2253 related to stopping providing funds, arms and passage to the terrorists.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Israeli regime are among the major supporters of the Takfiri terrorists fighting to topple the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since 2011.
