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World News

Orthodox leader to West: stop arming terrorists

by Aaron James

Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II was referring to countries such as the United States and Saudi Arabia, which has given weapons to rebel groups in Syria who are fighting the country's leader, President Bashar al Assad.

It is unclear whether British weapons have ended up with Islamist extremists, however the UK has denied giving weaponry to Syrian rebel groups in the past. Premier has contacted the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is waiting for comment.

The Orthodox Patriarch also revealed that President Assad told the church leader he was "aware of their suffering"at the hands of Islamic State and other extremists, and the community would be invaluable when the country begins to rebuild after its current civil war ends.

The fact the two leaders spoke is controversial, as the United Nations and other countries have strongly condemned President Assad for using chemical weapons and military force against civilians, killing thousands.

Bashar al Assad denies using chemical weapons against his own people and says any government force against rebel groups is to maintain peace and stability in the country.

He told Vatican Insider: "We are not asking the West for military intervention to defend Christians and all others. We are asking them to stop arming and supporting terrorist groups that are destroying our countries and massacring our people.

"If they want to help, they should support local governments, which need sufficient armies and forces to maintain security and defend respective populations against attacks.

"State institutions need to be strengthened and stabilised. Instead, what we see is their forced dismemberment being fuelled from the outside.

"President Assad urged us to do everything in our hands to prevent Christians from leaving Syria. 'I know you are suffering,' he said, 'but please don't leave this land, which has been your home for thousands of years, even before Islam came.'

"He said that Christians will also be needed when the time comes to rebuild this devastated country."

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