Russia Aims to Maintain Military Presence in Syria Amid Calls for De-escalation from Guterres
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Damascus, Dec. 13 (NationPress) Russia is eager to sustain its military installations in Syria, emphasizing their crucial role in the battle against terrorism, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov who spoke late Thursday.
"There is a broad consensus that the struggle against terrorism and the IS is ongoing; it necessitates collective actions. In this context, our presence has been pivotal in combating international terrorism," reported the state-run RIA news agency, quoting Bogdanov.
The Russian envoy further mentioned that Moscow has initiated dialogues with the political committee of Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, addressing matters concerning the protection of the Russian diplomatic mission and its citizens in the region, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Concurrently, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his profound concern over the recent and extensive infringements of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging all parties to reduce violence across the country, as stated by his spokesperson.
"The Secretary-General is especially alarmed by the hundreds of Israeli airstrikes targeting various sites in Syria, and emphasizes the urgent need to de-escalate violence on every front throughout the nation," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, during a daily press briefing.
On the same day, Turkey appointed an acting charge d'affaires at its embassy in Damascus, according to the semi-official Anadolu Agency.
Burhan Koroglu, Turkey's Ambassador to Mauritania, has been designated as the acting charge d'affaires at the Turkish embassy in Damascus.
Turkey shuttered its embassy in Damascus in 2012, citing rising violence and its demand for then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to resign amidst the civil war that erupted in 2011.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held discussions on regional conflicts, bilateral relations, and mutual cooperation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Ankara, as per the Turkish presidency.
During their meeting, Erdogan underscored the significance of enhancing ties between the two nations, which have a history spanning over a century, as stated by his office.
He expressed his dedication to boosting the mutual trade volume and deepening collaboration across various sectors, as reported by his office.
