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UNITED NATIONS – The Syrian diplomat told the world on Saturday that "the battle against terrorism is almost over" after more than seven years of civil war, as emissary of another most agitated region on the planet General Assembly .
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem also promised that the Syrian government would release the country from all "illegitimate" foreign troops. He vehemently reiterated denials that Damascus had used chemical weapons during the war – although international investigators have found the opposite – and called on all refugees to return home, saying that this was a priority for Damascus.
"Today, the situation on the ground is more stable and secure, thanks to the fight against terrorism," he said. "All conditions are now in place for the voluntary return of refugees".
He spoke at a time when Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, took over most of the territory's rebels seized during the war that killed more than 400,000 people and expelled millions of people.
A military offensive by President Bashar Assad's forces on Idlib, the last stronghold of the rebels, was avoided last week in an agreement reached between Russia and Turkey to create a demilitarized zone around the province. However, there are uncertainties as to how the agreement will be implemented; two groups of insurgents rejected it.
Idlib has been a relative haven for people displaced by violence in other parts of the country, and US Secretary General Antonio Guterres has stated that a large-scale battle for Idlib could trigger a humanitarian nightmare exceeding the misery already observed during the war.
Trump, speaking in front of the US Security Council on Wednesday, warned Assad against a large-scale offensive in the northeastern region: "I hope that restraint will continue. The world is watching.
United States investigators and an international chemical weapons agency attributed several chemical attacks during the war to government forces, while blaming the Islamic State's extremist group for at least one chemical attack. Syria has denied using chemical weapons in the fight.
"We fully condemn the use of chemical weapons in all circumstances," said al-Moallem. He said the countries had launched ready-made charges "against Syria" without what he described as an investigation or evidence.
The issue was a starting point for the United States Security Council, with American and Western countries denouncing Assad about chemical attacks and Russia rejecting investigators' findings. The United States conducted two air strikes in response to chemical attacks.
In November, Russia used its veto in the Security Council to block the West's efforts to maintain the body of investigators.
Meanwhile, the US-led effort to rally Syria's warring factions to work on a new constitution, which would pave the way for elections, would have been stalled for years.
Like Syria, North Korea could experience important developments.
US President Donald Trump and his administration are trying to regain momentum in their quest for North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions, first by following Trump's summit in Singapore in June with the leader of the United States. North, Kim Jong Un. Syria could be about to emerge from seven years of bloody conflict that included the use of chemical weapons.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to travel to Pyongyang next month to prepare for a second Kim-Trump summit. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also said this week that he wanted to meet Kim. However, there is widespread skepticism that Kim is giving up an arsenal that Pyongyang probably considers as the only way to guarantee the continuing Kim Dynasty's authoritarian regime.
At a large-scale press conference held in the United States on Wednesday, Trump said he was optimistic. Kim wants to reach an agreement because of their now warm relationship. A year after the two insults and threats exchanged that raised fears of war, "we have very good relations," said Trump.
"He likes me, I like him, we get along well," Trump said. "He wants to make a deal and I would like to make a deal."
On Wednesday, Pompeo met with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Pompeo said on Twitter that his meeting with Ri was "very positive", but gave no details.
The North has traditionally said the nuclear stalemate is between it and the United States, but recent highs between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have addressed the nuclear issue.
US and South Korean nuclear envoys met three times during this week's meetings to discuss ways to end North Korea's pursuit of a long-range missile arsenal. armed with nuclear weapons.
South Korea's special envoy for nuclear, Lee Do-hoon, met with Stephen Biegun, US special representative for North Korea, from Wednesday to Thursday, the South Korean news agency reported. Yonhap. Pompeo is said to have invited North Koreans to meet Biegun in Vienna, Austria, on the "first occasion".
North Korea has yet to respond to South Korea's proposal to meet Kang Kyung-wha on the sidelines of the assembly, Yonhap reported, quoting an unidentified South Korean official.
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Maria Sanminiatelli, associate editor, contributed to this report.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.
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