Minister of Finance Dr. Mohammad al-Jleilati said on Friday that the drop in the exchange rate of the Syrian Pound during the past two days is caused by black market traders manipulating exchange rates to make exuberant prices, and not caused by supply and demand.

In a televised statement, Jleilati said that those who manipulate exchange rates during the current circumstances are enemies of the Syrian people because they tamper with the people's livelihood and serve Syria's enemies and the channels that focused on this issues to upset Syrians and convince them that the Syria economy is in a bad state.

He said that this issue received great attention from the Currency and Credit Council and the Central Bank of Syria, which is monitoring the issue and taking proper steps regarding transgressions.

Jleilati stressed that the currency exchange law forbids unlicensed companies from dealing in foreign currency, because the ones who due so tamper with the exchange rates and Syrians' livelihood and raise the prices of food and consumer products.

He added that all consumer supplies and production requirements are available in Syrian markets, and that factories are operational.

He said that Syria's enemies resorted to using speculation which is an ineffective method that could be dealt with quickly, which is evident as the exchange rate was returned to the way it was in two days.

Regarding the current SYP exchange rate which reached 80 SYP to 1 USD, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria Dr. Adib Mayyaleh said that the necessary steps have been taken to stabilize the exchange rates and return them to normal.