Damascus, (ST)-What the Syrian people are going through economically is a continuation of the war they have been going through since 2011 by other means, according to the Arab political intellectual and University of Damascus economist Dr. Ibrahim Alloush, who has elaborated on the causes of the current oil crisis in Syria and how the country can survive it.

“The current oil crisis in Syria is the result of compounded factors. On one hand, the war partially or totally destroyed much of the infrastructure of the energy sector in Syria, including the Conoco gas plant in DeirEz-zour, which was targeted repeatedly by the US, always under the pretext of “fighting terrorism”!  It just so happens that both the terrorists and the so-called “Global Coalition against terrorism” have effectively coalesced to destroy Syria’s oil and gas installations all over the country,” he said in an interview with the Syria Times e-newspaper.  

Damascus, (ST) - Today, more and more ordinary Britons are questioning what they are being told by both their politicians and journalists about the fighting in Syria. So, what accounts for that growing doubt in the minds of everyday British people?

That question was answered by the British political analyst Dr. Marcus Papadopoulos.

“Indeed, ordinary Britons are not just questioning; they also harbour serious reservations about the so-called freedom fighters and the so-called emergency workers of the White Helmets, whom the British Government has emphatically championed and supported with British taxpayers' money”, the analyst told the Syria Times e-newspaper.

Dr. Papadopoulos asserted that there are numerous factors behind the growing doubt in British people’s minds. “These factors include how Britons have seen for themselves on social media the heinous crimes against humanity committed by terrorists' groups in Syria which are supported by the UK Government, such as the so-called Free Syrian Army, and they have also seen the White Helmets staging fake attacks and executing Syrian soldiers.”

However, the most important factor, in his estimation, is that there are so many more people today who are professionally covering the conflict in Syria than what there was previously.

 “There are now so many more people who have taken up the cause of investigating and analyzing the fighting in Syria for themselves. We have, to name just a few, the indomitable Vanessa Beeley, who has played a pivotal role in unmasking the infamous White Helmets; we have Eva Bartlett, who helped to expose the diabolical nature of terrorist rule in East Aleppo; and we have Peter Ford, a former British ambassador to Syria, who has relayed his knowledge and understanding of Syria to the British public”, the analyst stated.

DAMASCUS, (ST) - The Syrian Member of Parliament, Dr. Ahmad Kuzbari, has argued that Arab region is in urgent need of strong democratic parliaments to defuse conflicts before they spiral out of control.

He believes that Arab parliaments must play a pivotal role in restoring peace and promoting reconciliation through dialogue based on understanding, openness, and a culture of moderation and equity, along with highlighting the importance of political pluralism.

The parliamentarian’s remarks came during his interview with the Syria Times e-newspaper over Arab Parliaments’ role in the light of recent developments in the region.

“Arab parliaments in our region continue to play a very shy role, particularly in the light of the current events in the region, and especially with issues concerning terrorism and the prevention of external interference in internal affairs of sovereign states, which is one of the basic principles of the United Nations but is often interpreted in ways that are not credible,” Dr. Kuzbari stated.

He added that the principles of the United Nations have evolved to include the concept of humanitarian intervention and the ‘Responsibility to Protect’. 

“Arab Parliaments should benefit from parliamentary diplomacy at the national or regional level by exchanging views and experiences, discussing intra-country and inter-country conflicts, and helping defuse tensions and resolve conflicts before they get out of control,” said Dr. Kuzbari, who chairs the Constitutional and Legislative Committee in the Syrian People’s Assembly [Parliament].

The MP underlined that parliaments must work to prevent extremism, violence, and terrorism by transferring international commitments to national laws and supervising their implementation as well as working towards raising awareness of the dangers of terrorism, that is often fueled by hatred, intolerance, and discrimination.

DAMASCUS, (ST)- An International Criminal Lawyer has underscored that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has fallen under the influence of those who fund it mainly the EU, and US and private corporations who donate to it and who are very willing to use the court when it suits their interests.

Mr. Christopher Black told the Syria Times e-newspaper that the US will not recognize the court, nevertheless it attempts to use it through certain personnel placed in key positions to do its bidding.

“The Americans and British, for example, are putting pressure on the ICC to investigate and charge the Syrian government with war crimes.

DAMASCUS, (ST)- Armenia has assumed the presidency of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) 2019 and it can help Syria enter the market of the union after the development of economic relations between Damascus and Yerevan, according to the Syrian Member of Parliament Dr. Nora Arissian.

The MP told the Syria Times e-newspaper that Armenia is a bridge to the EAEU for Syria that will benefit from the experiences of Armenia’s friendly countries.

“Syrian-Russian Business Council, Syrian Economy Ministry and other government institutes are working on Syria’s accession to the Union which will be a good step to enhance Syria’s economic relations with the EAEU’s member states and will help it benefit from their experiences,” she said.