Syria's Minister of Information Omran al-Zoubi has called for the U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi to remain impartial in mediating the crisis.
"[Brahimi] should be a diametrically honest and impartial mediator and not pose ideas of his own or… others request that are out of line his duty," Zoubi said.
His comments were made during a phone interview with the Beirut-based al-Mayadeen television channel on Friday.
"Despite the fact that [Brahimi] had a good opportunity to point out the matter, he failed to do so, considering that the Syrian government was very positive in its participation on Geneva without setting pre-conditions and has cooperated faultlessly on this matter," Zoubi said.
The minister elaborated, saying Brahimi "doesn't understand the reality of what is going on, or he intends by one way or another not to call things by their names."
"Brahimi does not name Al-Qaeda, the Nusra Front, nor the armed gangs. He didn't even have the courage to name any of those countries which are supporting these terrorist groups, the chief being of course being Saudi Arabia," added Zoubi.
"I don’t think that he will ever have that courage at any time," the minister said.
"Brahimi stated that the Geneva conference is to be held for Syrians and not for countries. Hence, if the conference is not for the different states, what is the purpose of his tour to those countries, especially to Turkey and Saudi Arabia which spare no effort to undermine the Syrian government?" Zoubi asked.
Zoubi suggested Brahimi has a change of tone inside and outside Syria.
"While in Syria, he speaks to the delight of everyone and when he leaves Syria, he speaks differently," he said.
Brahimi's attempt to "equate between the government and certain opposition groups" during his press conference on Sunday "reflects his lack of understanding of the situation in Syria," the minister said.
"When the Syrian government employs the armed forces inside to defend the country and the borders, it is acting according to the constitution," Zoubi said, adding that defence of the country is a constitutional and national duty.
"Brahimi also stuck his nose in things that he was not authorized to by the U.N.," Zoubi said, referring to Brahimi's talk on humanitarian issues in Syria.
Zoubi confirmed that the Syrian government, through the ministries of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs, Social Affairs, Health and others, "are doing what is necessary in relation to the humanitarian situation in cooperation with the relevant international organizations."
"The Syrian government is performing its duties based on both its constitutional duties and national role," he said.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
......
