We are aware that our battle is existential and that their plan was not to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi but Libya and not to attack Saddam Hussein but Iraq, and that they intended to destroy Syria and not Bashar Al-Assad, the head of State noted.

On the other hand, he explained that friends and allies have played an important role in Syria’s steadfastness, but the victory was achieved thanks to the true resistance of the Syrian people in the war.

Commenting on the issue of refugees, the president revealed that half a million have returned over the last few years and none of them have been imprisoned or detained.

The most important challenge for the return of the displaced people is logistical and consists of the infrastructure destroyed as a result of terrorism, he said.

He added that the flow of this return was stopped by the worsening of living conditions due to the blockade, since the refugees cannot return home without basic services of water, electricity, schools and health.

Regarding the accusations of drug trafficking against Syria, the president explained that the enemies try to use this issue for political reasons, in particular to exert pressure.

Claiming that the Syrian Government is the one that encourages drug trafficking in Syria is like saying that it is the one that encourages terrorists to come to the country to destroy them, he pointed out.

On the other hand, he commented that Türkiye is a neighboring country and it is natural to have good relations, but this is achieved after the total Turkish withdrawal from Syrian territories.

A meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayib Erdogan would only be possible after this withdrawal, Al-Assad said.

jg/jav/jf/fm