Moallem: Assad Will Not Resign, Geneva II to Form National Partnership Gov’t

At a news conference in Damascus, Moallem stated that “the conspirators balance in Syria has been destabilized following the Syrian Arab Army victories in al-Qusayr," pointing out that what the army has achieved in Qusayr presented a strategically important step.
 
The Syrian official indicated that President Bashar al-Assad will not resign at peace talks slated to take place in Geneva, and insurgents should not "bother" attending if they expect his departure.
 
"President Bashar al-Assad will not resign. If your condition (for talks at Geneva) is President Assad's resignation, don't bother coming," he adviced the opposition groups.
 
The minister added that Syria is committed to investigating the use of chemical weapons in Khan al-Asal because "the terrorists have used the sarin nerve gas,” stressing that his country has documents to prove that and the government has submitted them to the United Nations and Russia."
 
“We haven’t said ever that we possess chemical weapons," he said, stressing that "all reports indicate that the al-Nusra Front is the primary dominant on ground in some villages and regions. Also some factions of the Free Syrian Army have joined this organization which confirms that the weapons, which will be offered to the opposition, will reach the hands of al-Nusra Front.”
 
"What was decided in Doha recently is very dangerous because it aims to prolong the crisis in Syria and encourages violence, murder and terrorism. Arming the opposition will hinder the Geneva Conference and will kill more of our people," Moallem went on to say.
 
He further expressed hopes that "the two sponsors of the Geneva II, Moscow and Washington, will prepare the right atmosphere for the conference."
 
"We have sent a letter to the Security Council about Israel's role in facilitating the crossing of armed terrorist groups into Syria and its relations with groups inside Syria," the minister stated, noting that Damascus would respond to any violation of the separation zone in the Golan.
 
In regard to the recent events in the Lebanese southern city of Sidon, Moallem said that "the terrorism and crimes committed in Sidon is nothing but one of the harbingers of the Doha conference and arming the opposition."
 
"Those who are waiting for Syria and want to establish a state of Islamic Caliphate will not stop at the borders of Syria. What we are doing is to defend Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq," the Syrian official justified.
 
"During our visit to Iraq, we have seen the Iraqi Premier determined to take all necessary measures to maintain security and prevent what is happening in Syria to drag to their country, and we do not want more than that," he continued.