Former Syrian Minister Of Information Dr. Mahdi Dakhlallah: If A U.S.-Russia Consensus Leads To A Palestinian State, Syria Will Leave the Resistance Axis [Archival]

Former Syrian Minister of Information Dr. Mahdi Dakhlallah spoke about the possibility of Syria leaving the axis of resistance in an interview, which aired on Al-Ikhbariya TV (Syria) on April 7, 2017. He said that once the Palestinian cause is resolved and an independent Palestinian state is established, Syria will leave the axis of resistance because the goal of the resistance will have been accomplished. Dakhlallah said that when Egypt left the axis of resistance, it was a mistake because the Palestinian cause had not been resolved yet. He added that he believes that the resolution of the Palestinian cause and the return of the Golan Heights is drawing near.

Interviewer: "It has been said that Trump has made an offer to Syria: 'I can be less extreme or maybe even positive towards Syria if Syria leaves the resistance axis.'"

Mahdi Dakhlallah: "That's the final goal..."

Interviewer: "I'm sure you have read that some people are saying that Syria is turning its back on some of its allies. In the logic of realpolitik, is this conceivable? Could America really propose such a vision? If Syria did not do this in the days of Colin Powell, is it going to do this now when its relations with its allies are so tight and intimate?"

Dakhlallah: "This is correct, unless there is a consensus – not just an agreement – between Russia and the U.S. about Syria leaving the axis of resistance. This can happen only in one scenario, which I think is on its way..."

Interviewer: "What scenario?"

Dakhlallah: "The resolution of the Palestine issue. The realization of the principle of an independent Palestinian state, which will be connected to Israel in agreements and a defense alliance..."

Interviewer: "And Syria will leave the axis of resistance?"

Dakhlallah: "The idea of resistance will come to an end when there is an independent Palestinian state..."

Interviewer: "Right, right..."

Dakhlallah: "The goal of the resistance will have been accomplished in such a case. We wage resistance for..."

Interviewer: "The reason will exhaust itself."

Dakhlallah: "Right. When Egypt left [this axis] with the Camp David accords, it was a mistake, because the Palestinian cause was not resolved. But if the goals of the resistance are accomplished, by establishment of an independent Palestinian state, this Palestinian state will be free to steer its international relations the way it wants. It will strike alliances with whoever it wants – with Israel, with the U.S., with whoever... Jordan has signed an alliance with Israel, Saudi Arabia is striking such an alliance... In such a case, the goal of the resistance will come to an end. Against whom will you wage resistance, if a Palestinian state has been established? This, of course, includes the return of the Golan Heights, which must be returned to Syria according to international law."

Interviewer: "Right. In any case..."

Dakhlallah: "If there is such a Russian-American consensus and they act to accomplish this, this will be acceptable to Syria, because it will mean that the axis of resistance will have accomplished its goals. This is the dialectics od international relations. Nothing is forever black and white."

Interviewer: "This scenario may be far in the future..."

Dakhlallah: "It is very near. We shall see."