Syria’s Foreign Minister says Turkey continues to support terrorists
September 29, 2019, 7:27 am

Syria’s Foreign Minister says Turkey continues to support terrorists

Syrian FM Walid al-Moualem addresses the 74th session of the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York on September 28, 2019. (AP)

Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday that Turkey has failed to fulfill its commitments under a number of agreements and instead has provided terrorists with all forms of support.

Al-Moualem said that the Syrian government has engaged in the political initiatives aimed at solving the situation in Idlib, and welcomed the memorandum creating the de-escalation zones and the Sochi Agreement on Idlib.

“The Turkish regime has failed to fulfill its commitments under these agreements. Instead, it has provided terrorists with all forms of support, including weapons that are more sophisticated,” said al-Moualem.

He added that “Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front has taken control of 90% of Idlib, and the Turkish observation points established inside Syria have been used to support these terrorists,” according to his statement which was carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Syria has been at war since the 2011 revolution which demanded the fall of the regime and its now 19-years-ruler Bashar al-Assad, whose father, Hafez al-Assad, ruled Syria for 30 years before him.

The 2011 peaceful protests were brutally crushed by the government in the name of “fighting terrorism”. The opposition was later armed and gained foreign support.

The war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions.

Al-Moallem told the UNGA that “The United States and Turkey maintain an illegal military presence in northern Syria.”

“Any foreign forces operating in our territories without our authorization are occupying forces and should withdraw immediately,” said the Syrian foreign minister.

Syria’s plight remains one of the world body’s thorniest issues.

But now that most of the country has returned to government control, Syrians worry the world has accepted the idea of President Bashar al-Assad ruling them, according to The Associated Press.

Only the opposition-held bastion of Idlib in the northwest, and the oil-rich northeast, held by US-backed Kurdish groups, elude al-Assad’s grasp.

Earlier this week, the UN secretary-general announced that a long-awaited committee that would draft a new Syrian constitution has been formed.

The UN hopes that will put the war-ravaged country on track for a political solution.

Agencies

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.