United Nations (TDI): Pakistan has called for political inclusivity and representative governance in Syria following the overthrow of the Assad regime exactly a month ago.
“Today, Syria stands at a critical point in its history,” said Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent representative to the United Nations, during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on the situation in Syria on Wednesday.
Akram stated “The recent political developments bring an opportunity to restore normalcy, stability and peace in Syria,” Akram said, adding, “Yet this will depend on ensuring a peaceful transition to a new governance structure which is stable and inclusive and ensures unity and territorial integrity of Syria.”
Earlier, Syria’s ambassador Koussay Aldahhak told the 15-member UNSC that the “dawn of freedom has broken”, and urged members of the UN to “respect the will of the Syrian nationals and its national choices.”
He urged them to “swiftly and fully lift unilateral coercive measures, provide necessary financing to meet humanitarian needs, and restore basic services” as well as “rehabilitate and reconstruct the damaged facilities in the country.”
In his remarks, Pakistan’s envoy welcomed the positive statements and assurances from the leaders and representatives of the interim administration, stating, “These must be translated into policies and converted into practice.”
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The global community and this Council, he said, must address the danger of terrorism within and from Syria, particularly in the still unsettled parts of the country, he said,
Akram added that any resurgence of Al-Qaeda or ISIS related groups cannot be accepted.
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Ambassador Akram also urged UNSC to seek objective information on the alleged presence of chemical weapons or capabilities in Syria.
Syria’s Humanitarian Crisis
He highlighted the need for dealing with Syria’s humanitarian crisis immediately and unconditionally.
Seventeen million Syrians – over 70 percent of the population – is in need of humanitarian aid, it was pointed out.
Over thirteen million Syrians have been displaced, seven million internally and 6 million abroad.
