Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jihad Maqdissi assured that the battle against the government in Syria was over, as the battle to corroborate stability, promote the new Syria, and mass views around the path of reform began.

Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jihad Maqdissi assured that the battle against the government in Syria was over, as the battle to corroborate stability, promote the new Syria, and mass the views around the path of reform and development began.

Speaking to the Syrian Television Friday night, Maqdissi pointed out that his country was engaging in a diplomatic battle against the West. However, he assured that "it is its duty to cooperate with International Envoy Kofi Annan’s mission, to show the world that the Syrian regime is open and certain of its stances."

As he stressed that the basics in dealing with Annan's mission lie in preserving Syria’s sovereignty, stability, and national security, the Syrian official stated that “a protocol will be signed to organize the observers’ efforts to reach to pacification."

“Syria is soon to receive a negotiating technical team –for talks- between Syria and the United Nations regarding mechanisms of implementation,” Syrian News Agency SANA quoted Maqdissi as saying.

Moreover, he said that “Syria calls on the world to help it instead of exerting pressures on it. Syria does welcome the objective of any initiative if its aim were to assist Syria in achieving the reforms and stabilizing the country.”

The foreign ministry spokesman asserted that “the presence of illegitimate armed elements is now documented internationally and legally and was acknowledged in the last Arab Observers Mission report… this is what is frustrating a political solution and a progress in reforms.”

He clarified that “the presence of the Syrian Arab Army in Syrian Cities is for protecting the civilians of whom large numbers are being taken as hostages to obstruct stability in the country…” and stated: “Once peace and security prevail, the army will pull out.”

In parallel, Maqdissi called for a transparent dialogue with the opposition, indicating that “opposition parts should transparently sit around one table keeping in mind one taboo that is military intervention… this will help us agree on building Syria which the people want and not the West.”

Reassuring the country’s major Arab role and continuous support to all the Arab causes, Maqdissi pointed out that “Syria differentiates between Arabism and the Arab League,” assuring: “Those who are leading the negative joint Arab work today will not last long.”