The Egyptian Foreign Minister to «Al –Hayah »: the political solution is the only way out in Syria

Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr affirmed that the political solution is the best for the situation in Syria to spare the country a major disaster. The Minister said that Egypt is keen on crystallizing an initiative based on the idea of  coordinating quadripartite efforts «Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia» together with the initiative of Head of the Syrian National Coalition Moaz Al-Khatib after expanding and putting it under the auspices of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic cooperation.

Amr said in an interview to «El -Hayah » during his visit to Moscow to participate in the Russian-Arab Forum with an Arab ministerial delegation, that there would be no role for the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the new Syria. The minister also stressed that dialogue between the opposition and an acceptable government party is reasonable.

He indicated that there are many rapprochement aspects between the Arab and Russian stances with some differences.

He said that the Russians confirmed during the dialogue sessions their adherence to their crystal clear position on the Palestinian cause and their rejecting the Israeli settlement activity. The discussions tackled as well, that the role of the international Quartet should be activated not as a goal, but as an effective instrument to revitalize the peace process.

He added that the Syrian issue was fully deliberated, and «the Russian position is known, as they affirmed they do not defend Assad’s regime, a matter left to the Syrian people, and that they are determined on stopping violence and starting a dialogue leading to a transitional phase.

He added that Russia is an important country with high regard and consideration in the Security Council «We expressed the position taken by the Arab league, supporting the will, dignity and social justice of the Syrian people.

The minister confirmed the Egyptian stance opposing the military solution, which would result in  more destruction and bloodshed .

He considered that the required political solution is conducting negotiation between the opposition topped by: the National Coalition for the Syrian Revolution», and another party acceptable to them, stressing that Egypt «does not see any role to President Assad in the new Syria »,«while other opinions find a role for him ,the Egyptian stance doesn’t consider that».

Amr reminded of President Mohamed Morsi initiative based on coordinating the efforts of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and  Egypt, indicating that Egypt is seeking to crystallize more  concerted efforts to stop the bloodshed in Syria and reactivate the Egyptian initiative and based on the initiative proposed by Head of the Syrian National Coalition Moaz Al-Khatib on his readiness for dialogue leading to  a transitional government aiming at restoring calm to the country, and “this concept should be expanded to involve the  Arab League, the Organization of Islamic cooperation and the UN envoy’’, and the three parties to be sponsoring and guaranteeing that the initiative and its application be a success.

He pointed out that Cairo is currently considering number ideas in order to deliberate and crystallize them within an integrated initiative.

He noted that the Egyptian efforts would continue throughout the meeting of "Friends of the Syrian people" to be held in Rome soon.

Regarding the expected role of Iran and its relationship with Egypt, Amr said that Iran is «a regional power, no one can disregard, but there are determinants of the relationship, and Egypt has its constant determinants and is committed to them» such as «not to interfere in the internal affairs of any country, and Egypt does not interfere in the internal affairs of any country and does not accept any interference in its internal affairs.

Secondly not to practice any doctrinal activities in other countries, and a. third file of the priorities of the Egyptian policy, that is the Gulf security which he described as «Egypt security, indicating that Cairo would not establish relations with any party at the expense of the Gulf security, and would not allow any side to tamper with the security of the Gulf.

The Egyptian minister dealt with Egypt's initiative on organizing a conference on making the Middle East a zone free from mass destruction weapons stating that that file would remain on the table and Cairo is waiting for the key players, especially the United Nations, to perform their duty in this regard.    

He added that a certain state hindered holding the conference, which was scheduled to be held in 2010 and that the United States, England, Russia and the United Nations, the parties which should have extended the invitations, failed because one country opposed to  sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty, in reference to Israel. 

He added that the Arab consensus wouldn’t be retracted «this subject would leave impacts hoping won’t be grave, as they would result in complete nuclear non-proliferation, unless complying with what was agreed upon in 2010.

He highlighted that the coming steps would be beginning expanded   consultations attended by all parties with a specific agenda and be held   under the umbrella of the United Nations.     

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