Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem stressed that Syria is a sovereign state and it will cooperate with whoever it wishes on counterterrorism.

Al-Moallem added, during a press conference held in Damascus on Saturday, that since 2011, Iran has stood by Syria in its fight against terrorism and “we thank the Iranian people and leadership for their help.”

“Since the beginning of the crisis, Iran has supported Syria in the war against terrorism backed and financed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, said al-Moallem, noting that Iran has no military presence on the Syrian territories rather there are Iranian advisers who work by the side of the Syrian Arab Army and some of whom have been martyred.

Al-Moallem indicated that Iran has no fixed military bases in Syria and the news circulated by the Israeli and western media outlets regarding this issue categorically groundless,

He affirmed that Iran’s presence is legitimate and based on an invitation of the government unlike the illegal presence of the US, Turkey and France.

He pointed out that handing over a list on the names of members in the committee of discussing the current constitution, supported by the Syrian government, to Ambassadors of Russia and Iran in Damascus came in light of an agreement that stipulates for handing the list to the Russian and Iranian sides being guarantor states of Astana track.

“we sent 50 names, the Syrian state should have the majority in any number which will be agreed upon, and the committee’s decisions should be taken unanimously,” he added.

Al-Moallem affirmed that the mission of UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is restricted to facilitating the discussions which will be held in the framework of the committee of discussing the current constitution.

Al-Moallem affirmed that Article No. 15 of the Constitution prohibits confiscating any property if it is not for the public benefit… the Law No. 10 is a necessity after liberating al-Ghouta from terrorism because the terrorist organizations have burnt the properties’ records and manipulated the private properties and these properties should be organized to return the rights to their owners.

“We are the most careful to return the displaced people to their homes and we will provide all facilitations to those who want to return,” al-Moallem added.

Al-Moallem affirmed that the presence of US forces in Syria is illegitimate as they must withdraw from al-Tanf area and any other Syrian territory.

“Do not believe any statements on an agreement about the south of Syria unless the US forces withdraw from al-Tanf area,” he said.

He added that the Israeli occupation entity breached the disengagement agreement signed in 1974 by backing terrorist groups to set up a security belt for it.

” We consider Turkey enemy and invader, neither Turkey, nor US have the right to negotiate regarding the Syrian cities;we will liberate every inch of our land,” al-Moallem said.

He stressed that Raqqa is in the hearts of all Syrians and it will be liberated and rebuilt.