Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari stressed that the West has plotted against Syria with the aim of changing the country’s stances, policies and national identity, to serve a “New Middle East” project that imitates the Judaism project of Israel and cancels the Palestinian people’s right to establish their own independent state.
Al-Jaafari made his remarks during a UN Security Council meeting held on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Syria.
Al-Jaafari pointed to statements made by the retired US Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson one week ago. He added that those who called for attacks against Syria have been looking for any pretext to justify an attack, and that the US, Britain and France have no evidence that the Syrian state had used chemical weapons, but rather the US intelligence officials and their agents inside Syria failed to prove their allegations since the evidence indicates that terrorist organizations were behind the launching of these chemical attacks.
The Syrian diplomat noted that Israeli aggression against Syria comes as part of its aggressive policies and desperate attempts to provide moral support to terrorist groups, which have suffered successive defeats at the hands of the Syrian Arab Army, and also part of its efforts to cleanse the Syrian territory, stressing that this act violates the disengagement of forces agreement signed in 1974 and other relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 350 (1974).
Al-Jaafari reiterated Syria’s call on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and take firm and immediate measures to hold Israel accountable for its terrorism and crimes which constitute a flagrant violation of the UN’s Charter and international law.
He added that preserving the lives of Syrians requires cooperation with the Syrian government and support for its efforts to eradicate terrorism, instead of manipulating the minds of western intelligence officers by circulating misleading terms such as “a moderate armed Syrian opposition” or “non-state armed groups” or “Islamic caliphate state” or “Jihadist groups”.
He wondered why the French government continue to provide political cover to terrorist groups in Syria despite the fact that these are the same groups which attacked the Bataclan in Paris. He pointed out that the French authorities have admitted the risk those terrorists pose in statements made by the French Foreign Minister, who warned that a Syrian military operation in Idleb could affect security in Europe and fears the flow of thousands of terrorists to Europe.
Al-Jaafari pointed out that Syria has provided the UN Security Council with serious information circulated by Dutch media about the involvement of the Dutch government in funding and offering logistical support to terrorist groups in Syria, adding that “wouldn’t the actions of the Dutch government be considered a breach of its responsibilities as a Security Council member in maintaining international peace and security?”
He reiterated Syria’s unremitting efforts to reach a political solution through intra-Syrian dialogue led by Syria without any foreign intervention and with priority given to counterterrorism, the return of displaced Syrians to their homes, the launch of the reconstruction process and the liberation of the remaining Syrian areas from terrorists and illegal foreign forces.
Al-Jaafari said that the Syrian government has fulfilled its obligations regarding the constitutional committee and had submitted the names of its representatives.
The Syrian diplomat expressed appreciation for Russia and Iran over their efforts, particularly the recent summit meeting in Tehran and the agreement on Idleb signed yesterday in Sochi.
“Syria welcomes any initiative that spares the bloodshed of Syrians and contributes to the restoration of security to any area struck by terrorism and Syria will continue its war against terrorism until the liberation of the last inch of its territory, whether by military operations or reconciliations,” he added.
“The Idleb agreement announced yesterday is a time-bound agreement and it is part of previous agreements on de-escalation zones that resulted from the Astana process, which began in 2017, essentially stemming from the commitment to sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Syrian territories as well as liberating all the Syrian territories whether from terrorists or any other illegitimate foreign presence,” he added.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
