Syria unrest: Pakistan backs Arab plan in UNGA, urges warring sides to shun violence
Calls on the UN General Assembly to accommodate amendments proposed by Russia and supported by China.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Abdullah Hussain Haroon has urged the warring sides in Syria to shun violence and resolve the crisis through negotiation.
“We condemn the use of force against peaceful protesters and human rights violations committed by all sides,” Haroon told the UN General Assembly on Friday, according to a press release issued from New York. “We call on both sides to pursue the path of dialogue and reconciliation and engage in a result-oriented and inclusive political process, leading to a peaceful resolution of the problem.”
The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted an Arab League-sponsored resolution, calling on Syrian President Bashar alAssad to step down, with a vote of 137 in favour and 12 against. Pakistan voted for the resolution, similar to one which was earlier vetoed by China and Russia in the UN Security Council amid intense Western criticism.
“We have been stressing on the importance of a consensus approach on the issue, including in the Security Council, for only a unified message can help promote our common objectives,” Haroon said, underscoring the need for more efforts to bridge gaps through accommodation of proposed amendments by Russia, supported by China, to achieve greater consensus in the assembly.
Pakistan also reiterates its earlier calls to respect the will of the Syrian people and for a Syrian-led solution to the ongoing unrest, Haroon said. “The Syrian people must be respected and allowed to resolve their crisis.”
“We condemn the use of force against peaceful protesters and human rights violations committed by all sides,” Haroon told the UN General Assembly on Friday, according to a press release issued from New York. “We call on both sides to pursue the path of dialogue and reconciliation and engage in a result-oriented and inclusive political process, leading to a peaceful resolution of the problem.”
The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted an Arab League-sponsored resolution, calling on Syrian President Bashar alAssad to step down, with a vote of 137 in favour and 12 against. Pakistan voted for the resolution, similar to one which was earlier vetoed by China and Russia in the UN Security Council amid intense Western criticism.
“We have been stressing on the importance of a consensus approach on the issue, including in the Security Council, for only a unified message can help promote our common objectives,” Haroon said, underscoring the need for more efforts to bridge gaps through accommodation of proposed amendments by Russia, supported by China, to achieve greater consensus in the assembly.
Pakistan also reiterates its earlier calls to respect the will of the Syrian people and for a Syrian-led solution to the ongoing unrest, Haroon said. “The Syrian people must be respected and allowed to resolve their crisis.”