Damascus, December 18 (RHC)-- Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekhad says his country will not participate in the so-called coalition of Islamic nations allegedly fighting against terrorism.

The Syrian official noted that Saudi Arabia "has not been and will not be part of the fight against terrorism, because it is the state that supports terrorism."

Faisal Mekhad also said that the U.S. air campaign in Syria is a flagrant violation of the country’s territorial integrity and has nothing to do with fighting terrorism.

The Syrian deputy foreign minister said: “The actions of the U.S. Air Force and now the deployment of so-called U.S. experts [Special Ops Troops] is a flagrant violation of Syria’s territorial integrity. We do not think they are sincere about wanting to fight terrorism."

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday that a small contingent of special operations forces had been sent to Syria to help allied militant groups in their fight against Islamic State.