President Bashar Assad declared in an address to his cabinet and diplomatic corps, that while his country had foiled Western designs to topple him, his army had not yet won the ‘defeated insurgents’. President Assad stressed that even though there were signs of victory after six-and-a-half years of civil war, the battle is expected to continue and in order to declare victory, additional steps have to be taken.
”When in this case we speak about foiling the West’s plot, it does mean that we have won. Let us be realistic and not exaggerate here, they have lost but the battle continues and where we go later and it becomes possible to talk about victory…that’s a different matter. But the signs of victory are there. But signs are something and winning is something else,” President Assad said.
The Syrian President also took the opportunity to thank his backers in the civil-war, including: Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah for their unwavering support for his regime, declaring them as part of a new chapter in his country’s history.
”While the Syrian people and the military forces are writing down a new history of Syria and the region at the moment, there are chapters that are going to be written about our friends, Iran, Imam Khamenei, about Russia and President Putin, about Hezbollah and Sayed Nasrallah, (CROWDS APPLAUDING), these chapters will be about their principles and ethics and valor for the next generations to read,” President Assad said.
With regard to the de-conflicting zones implemented in several districts of his country, Assad emphasized that it would provide an end to bloodshed, aiming to achieve national reconciliation.
”The local ceasefires aim to stop the bloodshed, the return of the displaced and allowing humanitarian aid. It also gives the terrorists the chance to give up their arms and the cover of the terror groups and go back to the arms of the state. This is the general view and final aim of the local ceasefires. And it also aims to achieve national reconciliation and for things to go back to normal,’ President Assad said.