Cabinet denounces terrorist acts in Iraq and Lebanon

Damascus, SANA – The Cabinet held a weekly session on Tuesday chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Wael al-Halaqi, in which the members discussed the state of agriculture, industry, trade, and services sectors.

The Cabinet denounced the heinous acts committed by terrorists in Iraq and Lebanon which coincide with the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Al-Halaqi said that economy is stabilizing and the tourism sector is beginning to recover as security and stability are established in several areas.

He noted that the Syrian pound exchange price has been affected mildly due to the events in the region and the activity during the recent Eid al-Fitr holiday, asserting that the government is working diligently to monitor exchange rates.

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Al-Halaqi asserted that the government sends relief and aid to all areas in need without exception of discrimination, even unsafe areas, citing the recent delivery of aid to Aleppo and Daraa provinces.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Omar Ghalwanji briefed the Cabinet on the state of the services and utilities sector during the past week, saying that communications have been disrupted in some provinces due to terrorist activity and that efforts are underway to restore them.

Similarly, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem briefed the Cabinet on recent events in the region, while State Minister for National Reconciliation Affairs Ali Haidar reviewed progress in reconciliation efforts.

The Cabinet approved a bill on amending the law regulating agricultural cooperative societies and a bill on Syria joining the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

H. Sabbagh