By: Norhan Mahmoud
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (SEE)- Ambassador James Jeffry, U.S. Envoy to Syria, told reporters today that the Syrian crisis is very important to President Donald Trump and the entire United States government.
In a teleconference, Ambassador Jeffry stressed that Trump’s policy on Syria is clear, “We want to de-escalate the conflict, we thus welcomed the ceasefire in Edlib between the Turkish supported forces, the regime and Russians.”
The U.S. hopes to revitalize the political process forward in order to enable Syrian refugees to return back to their homeland.
“We see the syrian conflict as one of the core disasters of the last decade in the Middle East and an extremely dangerous situation,” noted Jeffry.
He elaborated that the situation in Syria is very problematic due to three main elements; the presence of a ‘terribly dictatorial regime’ under President Bashar Al-Assad, the Iranian expansion in Arab states and the rise of new terrorism movements including the ‘Mystique ISIS.’
The senior diplomat noted that Egypt is an important member of what the US calls a small group that involves Jordan, France, Saudi Arabia and Germany.
“We coordinate on daily basis with our Egyptian colleagues,” said Jeffry. “Egypt is a strategic player in the Middle East. We are glad to have their support.”
The ambassador pointed out the American existence in Syria is mainly to endure defeat of ‘ISIS’ along removing all foreign troops and forces including the Iranians from the country.
He assured the importance of implementing a political solution as both Syria and its neighbors are under the threat of larger conflicts. “We need to bring the conflict to an end.”
Responding to a question related to the U.S.’s stance towards the Shiite militants, the ambassador ensured that they do not define groups by their religion.
“We try to make it clear to Russia that these forces are not just there to support the Assad regime, but to carry out their own long term hegemonic program and to in some respects subvert the authority of the Syrian state just as they have done in Lebanon, Yemen and attempts in Iraq.”
Commenting on the recent Astana conference, the diplomat considered the efforts as “Ineffective in solving the political process.”
In his final remarks, Jeffry urged reporters to follow the development in Syria very closely as it affects “War, peace and progress in the entire Middle East.”
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