Assad, Russian diplomat discuss Syrian refugees issue
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad discussed on Tuesday with Russia’s Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev and an accompanying delegation file of the return of Syrian refugees.
The two sides discussed Turkey’s refusal to withdraw from Syria, and the cross-border humanitarian aid for northwest Syria, in line with the international humanitarian law and rules of sovereignty, state-run SANA news agency reported.
The authorization of a mechanism of aid delivery to opposition-held areas in northwest the country expired on July 10, following the last reauthorization for six months on January 10. The following day, Russia vetoed the UN Security Council (UNSC) compromise resolution that would have extended aid deliveries through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, which connects Turkey and opposition-held northwest Syria, for nine months.
Lavrentiev stressed that his country continues supporting Syria to enhance security and stability in the region, as well as it maintains cooperation between the two countries to secure a decent return of Syrian refugees.
Russia and Syria committed to the humanitarian dimension of the Syrian refugees’ file and they categorically reject all attempts to politicize this file, according to the Russian diplomat.