This post is also available in:
العربية
Deir Ezzor 24 exclusive:
Deir Ezzor 24 network executive manager, Mr. Omar Abu Layla, met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and Special Envoy to Syria, Joel Rayburn, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The meeting discussed a number of important issues, including recent developments in Deir Ezzor province east of Syria, most notably the continued presence of U.S. forces in the region, as well as the constitutional committee that is being discussed by the Syrian opposition with the Assad regime under the United Nations auspices.
Rayburn said that the United States supports the rights of protesters who have been recently protesting in Deir Ezzor, noting that his country has seen these protests and reported on them to the U.S. leadership.
Joel Rayburn added that the protesters’ demands in Deir Ezzor are rightful, and that Washington stands by the people, and emphasizes the need to remove the Iranian threat from the region, to keep the region safe for people to live in.
The American official indicated that the U.S. leadership still considers Iran as a threat to the region, and that the protesters demands are rightful and must be met.
The U.S. official stressed that his country will continue to put pressure on Daesh, and prevent it from reaching the region’s oil wealth, noting that also the Assad regime and the Iranians will not benefit from it, and that the U.S. forces will halt the Assad regime’s ambitions to control oil and gas in Deir Ezzor.
The network’s executive manager told the official about the suffering of the people of Deir Ezzor, both at the local level, and at the security level in relation with the dangers of Iran. He also emphasized the need to work on development projects to meet the people’s needs in the region.
Abu Layla stressed that the U.S. forces presence is necessary especially in the current period to ensure security and stability in the region. He also underlined the need to intensify the security measures against Daesh in Deir Ezzor countryside, as it has been active in the region through bombings and assassinations.
For his part, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and Special Envoy to Syria Joel Rayburn said that Washington will continue to work with its local partners at all levels.
