Syrian Ambassador to Russia: Corruption and mafia system ruled in Syria, not any regime

Syrian Ambassador to Russia Bashar al-Jaafari said that during the time of ousted Bashar al-Assad, Syria was ruled by a system of corruption and mafia, not a regime.

Jafari posted a video of his speech at the Syrian embassy in Moscow on social media.

The ambassador said that oppression in Syria has ended and a new era has begun, promising a bright future.

"With this slogan, we are starting a new path - building a new Homeland. We will rebuild our country with peace and love. We had a mafia system, not a state system," he said.

"You would be surprised if I said that there was never a regime in Syria. If there was a regime there, it would have protected itself, there was a mafia and a system of corruption. In this system, the interests of the country were used for personal purposes, so its collapse was quick," the ambassador added.

Jafari called for not repeating the mistakes of the past.

The ambassador argued that those working in embassies, universities, and other institutions should not be held responsible for the mistakes of the overthrown regime.

Speaking about the Syrian regime's work as the permanent representative of the UN, Ja'fari noted: "I did not speak about the regime or its leader, who is defending the interests of my country and homeland at the UN, because it was our country that emphasized the fact that the Syrian regime was the permanent representative of the UN. our unity, and for this I was criticized in Damascus."