MOSCOW. Aug 15 (Interfax) - The Western sanctions against Syria impede its reconstruction, Minister of Local Administration and Environment Hussein Makhlouf said on Wednesday.
"Western countries' sanctions against Syria are restricting its economic development, hindering the rapid restoration of infrastructure. Lifting them would have a positive effect on the process of bringing Syrians back home, while the allocation of UN funds, mainly to build schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure, would be a source of hope for refugees and a potent tool of conflict prevention in the future," Makhlouf said on Wednesday at a meeting of the interagency taskforce in charge of the return of refugees.
Rebuilding Syria and helping refugees require significant funding, he said. International organizations continue to implement various humanitarian initiatives, such as providing food supplies and placing people in temporary camps in neighboring countries, the minister said.
"However, there are many problems that international humanitarian initiatives cannot fully solve. Our citizens need a stable future, not short-term solutions," Makhlouf said.