Washington, November 11 (QNA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Washington with Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani, during which they explored their countries' perspectives on the possibilities of reinforcing trilateral cooperation.
The meeting tackled matters pertaining to the Syrian borders with Israel, revoking the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, as well as the situation in Al Suwayda Governorate in southern and northeastern Syria, underscoring the significance of these talks in addressing the future of these areas, Fidan highlighted in remarks following the trilateral meeting.
Fidan noted that the focus is now on what can be done to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act, in pursuit of helping Syria rise again. He stressed the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria.
Fidan further recalled Turkiye's hosting of a similar meeting in Antalya Province last May, clarifying that the Washington meeting complements the previous dialogue.
On the other hand, Fidan affirmed the importance of the US draft resolution in the UN Security Council regarding the establishment of an international force in the Gaza Strip, stressing that this force is essential to implement the next phases of the ceasefire deal.
Halting the genocide and initiating the provision of life-saving humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip are core priorities for Turkiye, he underlined, emphasizing that his country, which is not a member of the UNSC, is always keen to discuss the resolution with allied nations.
Turkiye and these allies, Fidan said, convene and share views with the Contact Group on Gaza, emerging from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, composed of eight countries that share the same stance and act in unison.
This comes in light of US media reports in early November revealing that Washington submitted to members of the UNSC a draft resolution scheduled for a vote in the days ahead, he noted.
Fidan indicated that the resolution outlines the nature and tasks of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) that would operate in the Gaza Strip for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension.
Last July, Al Suwayda Governorate witnessed armed clashes that claimed hundreds of lives prior to striking a ceasefire deal, which took effect on Jul.19. (QNA)