UNITED NATIONS — Syria’s foreign minister brought his regime’s case before the world Monday, accusing the U.S. and its allies of promoting terrorism and blaming everyone from neighbors and extremists to the media for escalating the war — except the Syrian government.
Addressing ministers and diplomats from the United Nation’s 193 member states as fighting spread in the historic Old City of Aleppo, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem lashed out at calls in Washington and in Arab and European capitals for President Bashar Assad to step down as interference in Syria’s domestic affairs.
Al-Moallem accused extremists for prolonging the crisis and denounced countries such as the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey for supporting the opposition’s “terrorism.”
“This terrorism which is externally supported is accompanied by unprecedented media provocation based on igniting religious extremism sponsored by well-known states in the region,” he told the U.N. General Assembly.
Up to 3,000 Syrians are leaving the country every day, said Vincent Cochetel of the U.N. refugee agency.
Meanwhile, a high-level Egyptian security delegation left for Syria on Monday in a rare visit, Cairo airport officials said. The delegation’s mission was not immediately clear.
Yasser Ali, spokesman for President Mohammed Morsi, denied the report. A senior security official said he had no knowledge about the delegation.
