Syrian defense minister deplores unfair accusations on infiltration to Iraq

Syrian defense minister Lt. Gen. Hassan Turkmani on Tuesday deplored "the unfair accusations marketed by enemies to that Syria supports persons infiltrating via the Syrian- Iraqi borders." He said "theses accusations are baseless and lack any proof."

Turkmani stressed that Syria, who stood with Lebanon in its crisis will remain faithful to the remarkable relations linking it to Lebanon, and Syria will be always with the Lebanese people and also with the people of Iraq," adding that "Syria has repeatedly stressed care to maintain Iraq's security and stability and the ending of the occupation of Iraq."

Turkmani stressed in a graduation ceremony for army officer cadets at the armed forces club in Damascus that "Syria will continue to call for the language of serious and constructive language, away from the language of threats which will only lead to more tension and instability," adding "these honorable stances for Syria are the direct reason today for the pressures made on it in order to give up its national and patriotic principles."

Turkmani stressed that Syria will not be subjected by these pressures despite the attempts made by "the rulers of Tel Aviv and their supporters" to marginalize Syria's effective role in the region.