Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday the country was not in civil war, but was fighting terrorist.

Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday the country was not in civil war, but was fighting terrorist.

"Talk of civil war in Syria is not consistent with reality... what is happening in Syria is a war against armed terrorist groups plotting against the future of the Syrian people," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also expressed surprise at statements made the day before by UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous.
It criticized Ladsous for saying on Tuesday that Syria was now in a civil war and said UN officials should remain "neutral, objective and precise."

"It is the duty of the Syrian authorities to address these crimes and assert control throughout the country," the ministry said.

Syria "has not descended into civil war, but rather is witnessing a struggle to eradicate... murders, kidnappings and bombings against state institutions and the destruction of public and private property," it added.
The ministry also reaffirmed Syria’s respect for UN envoy Kofi Annan plan and “its readiness for its implementation.”