Syria began indirect conversations with Israel: officer

Damascus, May 31 (IANS). Syrian information authority head Hamza al-Mustafa said indirect discussions with Israel began to deal with repeated Israeli attacks in the country. At a press conference to a cabinet meeting chaired by Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Shra, Al-Mustafa said indirect discussions between Syria and Israel, focusing on enforcing the 1974 disruption agreement. He also talked about the interim government’s reform agenda, which emphasizes the country’s goal to promote an attractive investment environment through updated legislation and more financial freedom. Al-Mustafa quoted Al-Shara, saying that the country is fighting ‘fight against poverty’, which is also associated with it in many areas, including education and human development. He said that Al-Shra called on a better coordination between ‘ministries’, the adoption of modern management practices, the tightening of corruption and budget discipline. He said ‘free areas’ and refugees return to such areas in development efforts, he said that the interim government had received investment obligations. According to the Xinhua News Agency report, investment from Saudi Arabia will be announced soon, he also confirmed that a sufficient increase in the state budget of 2025 had been awarded, which will be announced soon. In terms of legislative development, Al-Mustafa said that the interim government is working on the establishment of a transitional parliamentary body, which has the task of reviewing all current laws. According to Syrian government media and war monitoring, Israel launched air strikes late Friday at various military places in Syrian coastal provinces Tartus and Latakia, including a former headquarters of the special power and military base near civilian areas. According to UK-based war monitor Syrian observatory for human rights, air strikes in Tartus have targeted a military hiding place, previously used by special forces, as well as the Al-Vuhaib industrial areas and places in the Al-Blata caser. Government Al-Oikhabaria TV reported that the Israeli war aircraft attacked the Zama village in the rural area of ​​Jableh, as well as the military sites in the Mena al-Bed harbor area and the 107th Brigade base in the neighboring Latakia province. The Israeli Army (IDF) said in a statement that it had attacked the weapons of arms stored in Latakia on Friday night. It is also said that there were missiles that pose a threat to the freedom of international and Israeli maritime shipping. There was no immediate report of anyone’s casualties, and Syrian defense officials issued no official statement. -Ians gkt/