Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
International

First Hindu Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Says She Met Assad On Syria Trip

IANS, 26 Jan, 2017 11:54 AM
    The first Hindu elected to the Congress, Hawaiian Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, has said that she met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a secret, "fact-finding" trip to Syria and Lebanon.
     
    Gabbard's office said in a press release on Wednesday that the army veteran met Assad as well as Lebanon's newly-elected President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri during a trip earlier this month.
     
    "When the opportunity arose to meet with him, I did so because I felt that it's important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then we've got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we can achieve peace," the Hawaiian congresswoman said in a statement.
     
    Gabbard said there is no possibility for a viable peace agreement in Syria unless Assad is part of the conversation. "Whatever you think about President Assad, the fact is that he is the President of Syria," Gabbard told CNN.
     
    Her office provided photos and video of the congresswoman on her trip, but none of the alleged meeting with Assad, reported ABC News.
     
    Gabbard said that her trip further convinced her that the US should stop aiding any rebels fighting against Assad in the war-torn country. She called the rebel groups "terrorists".
     
     
    "The US must stop supporting terrorists who are destroying Syria and her people. The US and other countries fuelling this war must stop immediately. We must allow the Syrian people to try to recover from this terrible war," she said in her statement.
     
    "We must end our war to overthrow the Syrian government and focus our attention on defeating Al Qaeda and ISIS," she said.
     
    Gabbard's visit came two months after she sat down with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss foreign policy.
     
    Gabbard said that in addition to Assad, she met a long list of people, including opposition leaders and refugees. 
     
    "My visit to Syria has made it abundantly clear: Our counterproductive regime change war does not serve America's interest, and it certainly isn't in the interest of the Syrian people," Gabbard said. 
     
    "I return to Washington, DC, with even greater resolve to end our illegal war to overthrow the Syrian government. I call upon Congress and the new administration to answer the pleas of the Syrian people immediately and support the Stop Arming Terrorists Act."
     
    Gabbard's spokeswoman, Emily Latimer, previously declined to say whether Gabbard had met Assad during her Syria trip.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Trump Open To Conducting Joint Strikes On IS With Russia: White House

    Trump Open To Conducting Joint Strikes On IS With Russia: White House
    The White House said on Monday that US President Donald Trump is open to conducting joint strikes with Russia on Islamic State (IS) terrorists.

    Trump Open To Conducting Joint Strikes On IS With Russia: White House

    Indian-origin Man Jailed For Money-Laundering In UK

    Indian-origin Man Jailed For Money-Laundering In UK
    Nirmal Tanna had been convicted by a jury at Leicester Crown Court in September 2016 in his absence on money laundering charges dating back to 2012.

    Indian-origin Man Jailed For Money-Laundering In UK

    Indo-US Ties Headed For Best Days Under Donald Trump: Supporters

    Indo-US Ties Headed For Best Days Under Donald Trump: Supporters
      Large number of Indian Americans country gathered in Washington to participate in Trump's inauguration

    Indo-US Ties Headed For Best Days Under Donald Trump: Supporters

    Indian-American Lawmakers Join Protest March Against Donald Trump

    Indian-American Lawmakers Join Protest March Against Donald Trump
    All the five Indian-Americans elected to the US Congress have joined the Women's March to protest against new US President Donald Trump's alleged anti-women policies.

    Indian-American Lawmakers Join Protest March Against Donald Trump

    Oxford University To Face Indian-Origin Student's Trial Over 'Appallingly Bad' Teaching Allegations

    Oxford University To Face Indian-Origin Student's Trial Over 'Appallingly Bad' Teaching Allegations
    Faiz Siddiqui, a modern history graduate, says he would have enjoyed a career as a top international commercial lawyer had he not been held back for obtaining a 2:1 grade when graduating in June 2000, reported the Daily Mail on Sunday.  

    Oxford University To Face Indian-Origin Student's Trial Over 'Appallingly Bad' Teaching Allegations

    Indian-Origin Mauritius PM Anerood Jugnauth Steps Down, Son To Take Over

    Indian-Origin Mauritius PM Anerood Jugnauth Steps Down, Son To Take Over
    Mauritius is set to have a new Prime Minister on Monday, two days after the 86-year-old Indian-origin Anerood Jugnauth resigned and handed over the post to his son.

    Indian-Origin Mauritius PM Anerood Jugnauth Steps Down, Son To Take Over