DAMASCUS, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Syria's foreign affairs chief Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held a phone call on Tuesday to discuss the recent Israeli military escalation in southern Syria and ways to strengthen bilateral ties.
In a statement issued by Syria's interim foreign affairs authority, the two officials reviewed the latest Israeli operations, which have caused civilian casualties and damaged homes and infrastructure in towns across southern Syria.
Al-Shibani condemned the attacks as violations of international law and called for international action to stop what he described as Israeli "aggression." Wadephul voiced concern over the rising tensions and underscored the need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further instability, according to the Syrian statement.
Al-Shibani also reiterated Syria's desire to expand diplomatic relations with Germany across various sectors as part of what he described as balanced and constructive international engagement.
Wadephul, for his part, expressed his intention to visit Damascus in the near future, the statement added. ■
