Baladi News - Follow ups
Bashar Al-Assad said Sunday that the Russian-Turkish deal to avert a military offensive in the northwestern province of Idlib is a "temporary one" that prevented bloodshed but that his government's goal is to restore control over all of Syria, the Business Insider news website wrote.
His comments were made during a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling al-Baath Arab Socialist Party, the Business Insider said.
The Turkish-backed umbrella group for Syrian rebels said Sunday that it has started implementing the deal reached between Russia and Turkey to demilitarize the front lines between Syrian government forces and the opposition in Idlib province.
The Business Insider also cited Naji al-Mustafa, spokesman for 15-member National Front for Liberation, as saying on Sunday the groups have unanimously agreed to implement the deal reached last month and expect to demilitarize 15-20 kilometers (9-12 miles) along the front lines by Oct. 15.
In his comments Sunday, Assad called the West's objection to an offensive in Idlib "hysterical" adding that a Syrian government military victory there would have foiled their plans against Syria, the website added.
He said Syria is now heading toward "the battle" to rehabilitate segments of society that supported what he called "chaos and terrorism," according to the website.
The Syrian government accuses western countries of seeking to divide Syria and of supporting terrorist groups.