Syrian Administration: We Stressed to the Russian Delegation the Need to Address Past Mistakes

Syrian children play on an abandoned tank near Marea on the outskirts of Aleppo (AP). 
Syrian children play on an abandoned tank near Marea on the outskirts of Aleppo (AP). 
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Syrian Administration: We Stressed to the Russian Delegation the Need to Address Past Mistakes

Syrian children play on an abandoned tank near Marea on the outskirts of Aleppo (AP). 
Syrian children play on an abandoned tank near Marea on the outskirts of Aleppo (AP). 

The Syrian General Command said that during its talks with the Russian delegation that visited Damascus on Tuesday, it emphasized that restoring relations “must address past mistakes and respect the will of the Syrian people.”

In a statement, the command noted that discussions with the Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, focused on key issues, including respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The new Syrian leadership highlighted that the Russian side reaffirmed its support for the “ongoing positive changes” in Syria.

The talks also underscored “Russia’s role in rebuilding trust with the Syrian people through concrete measures such as compensation, reconstruction, and recovery.”

The discussions further addressed mechanisms for transitional justice aimed at “ensuring accountability and achieving justice for the victims of the brutal war waged by the Assad regime.”

Earlier, Bogdanov described his meeting with the Syrian administration in Damascus as “constructive and positive,” confirming that Russian facilities in Syria remain unaffected and that both sides agreed to continue dialogue.

Russia Today quoted Bogdanov as saying in an interview following his meeting with Ahmad Al-Sharaa, head of the new Syrian administration: “The dialogue was constructive and pragmatic, reaffirming the friendly nature of our bilateral relations... We emphasized the principled and consistent approach in our strategic partnership, which aims to preserve the unity and independence of the Syrian Arab Republic.”

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed Moscow’s readiness to support efforts to stabilize the situation in Syria and find suitable solutions to its economic and social challenges. He added that Moscow is also prepared to receive Syrian delegations whenever requested

 

 

 



Egypt, Spain Reject US Plan to Displace Gazans

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (R) and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hold a signed agreements following their meeting at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, 19 February 2025. (EPA)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (R) and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hold a signed agreements following their meeting at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, 19 February 2025. (EPA)
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Egypt, Spain Reject US Plan to Displace Gazans

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (R) and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hold a signed agreements following their meeting at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, 19 February 2025. (EPA)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (R) and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hold a signed agreements following their meeting at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, 19 February 2025. (EPA)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday rejected a controversial proposal by US President Donald Trump to displace Palestinians from the war-devastated Gaza Strip.  

The Arab League is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting in Cairo on March 4 in response to Trump's plan to take over Gaza and permanently move its Palestinian inhabitants elsewhere, including to Egypt and Jordan, and then redevelop the coastal territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East".  

Speaking in Madrid ahead of the gathering, Sisi called for the "international community's support and adoption of a plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip without displacing the Palestinian people -- I repeat, without displacing the Palestinian people -- from their land, which they cling to, and their homeland, which they do not agree to relinquish".

Sanchez, one of the staunchest defenders of the Palestinian cause within the European Union, agreed, saying "Gaza belongs to the Palestinians and is part of the future Palestinian state".

"Their expulsion would not only be immoral and contrary to international law and United Nations resolutions, but would also have a destabilizing effect," the Socialist premier added.  

The two leaders also signed a declaration upgrading Egypt-Spain relations to a "strategic partnership", as well as several memorandums of understanding in various fields including illegal migration and defense.  

Trump's plan sparked an outcry from Arab governments as well as from world leaders, and the United Nations warned against "ethnic cleansing" in the Palestinian territory.