The withdrawal of Iranian forces is not up for discussion, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said, after Washington demanded they pull out of Syria’s conflict.
"This topic is not even on the agenda of discussion, since it concerns the sovereignty of Syria. We cannot let anyone even raise this issue. Those who ask for something like that — and this is definitely not our Russian friends — are considering the possibility of intervention in all parts of Syria, including the support of terrorists in Syria and elsewhere in the region," Sputnik cited Mikdad as saying.
The Syrian diplomat said that Damascus "highly appreciates" the help of friendly forces from Russia and advisers from Iran and Hezbollah in the struggle against terrorists.
The statements by the United States about its intention to withdraw troops from Syria and replace them with Arab forces are aimed at drawing the Arab countries in direct conflict with Damascus, Syrian Deputy FM stressed.
He added that the US continues its support for terrorists in Syria by financing and supplying them with arms.
