Syrian FM says Trump administration 'lies' about withdrawing

DAMASCUS, Syria – Syria's foreign minister says U.S. President Donald Trump's administration "lies" all the time about withdrawing its troops from the country.

Walid al-Moallem also says Trump's decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights only serves to increase America's isolation in the world "even among its closest allies."

Al-Moallem spoke Thursday at a joint press conference in Damascus with Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, who lauded what he described as Syria's victory over "terrorism" in the country's eight-year war.

Venezuela's government has warm relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad's government. Arreaza said both countries were victims of a U.S. conspiracy.

Al-Moallem vowed to liberate all Syrian territory including the northwestern province of Idlib, the last major rebel-held stronghold in the country. He says "our patience has its limits."