A Syrian foreign minister stated on Monday that America and its allies' arrangement to arm Syrian opposition groups is "very dangerous" and will only heighten the number of deaths in the war-torn country.
According to the New York Times, Walid al-Moallem gave his opinion on foreign aid merely two days after a group of 11 nations including the United States gathered in the Qatari capital of Doha. There, they all agreed to provide more support to Syrian opposition forces.
Moallem said each of the countries that met in Doha "have Syrian blood on their hands."
"We are not scared," al-Moallem claimed, speaking on the nations' decision. "If they dream or are delusional about achieving a balance with the Syrian Arab Army, I think they need to wait years and this won't be achieved. They will not be victorious no matter how much they conspire."
Moallem also mentioned that by providing more weaponry to rebel forces, efforts to bring peace to the country during a peace conference slated to be held in Geneva will be hindered.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has been active in international peace talks, attended the "Friends of Syria" meeting in Dohar. He did not specify exactly what kind of aid the United States planned on supplying Syria, but did mention that America's moves would bring balance to the fight between the opposition and government forces, the New York Times reported.
According to Moallem, President Bashar al-Assad will not step down from his post, nor will any kind of international assistance defeat Assad's more well-equipped forces.
"President Bashar Assad will not step down," he stated. "If anyone has such illusions on the other side, my advice to them is not to go to Geneva."
Assad came to power in 2000, after his father, Hafiz al-Assad, passed away. The hallmark aspect of Hafiz's rule was his establishment of a totalitarian regime-an all powerful-ruling system: using a Leninist model, the older Assad incorporated unions and organizations into his regime, gave massive power to the Sunni bourgeoisie class and created a personalized presidency, where absolute power lay with the ruler. No checks could be made on Assad's movements, while his inner circle of politicians and the elite dealt with economic and domestic issues.
This created a stifling police state, where regime authority currently presides over state rule.
Some say this kind of government makes it difficult for Bashar al-Assad's to move away from his regime-he cannot give up his power as an Alawite ruler with ease.
On Monday, Moallem acknowledged that the conference was an important "opportunity that should not be missed," and that his country was willing to participate.
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