No plans to repatriate Malaysian students in Syria, says foreign minister

 

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said Wisma Putra, through the embassy in Syria, would monitor developments and ensure the safety of Malaysians. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan has assured that Malaysian students in Syria are safe and have sufficient food supplies at their respective colleges.

He said the government currently has no plans to evacuate the more than 50 Malaysian students in the Middle East country, Bernama reported.

“Malaysian honorary consul-general in Damascus, Samir Al Kour, is in daily contact with Wisma Putra and with me directly regarding our students in Syria and he has been sending pictures and videos of them,” Mohamad was quoted as saying at an event at the foreign ministry.

Mohamad said Malaysia is monitoring the situation in Syria following the ousting of president Bashar al-Assad, expressing hope that the new Syrian government will uphold peace and security.

He also expressed concern over the Zionist regime taking advantage of Syria’s instability to expand illegal settlements in the Golan Heights, which he said violates international law and Syria’s sovereignty.

Assad reportedly fled to Russia after his government was overthrown by anti-regime groups who seized control of key areas, including Aleppo, Idlib and Damascus, earlier this month. - FMT