Security Council backs ceasefire proposal in Syria

The Security Council endorsed on Wednesday (24th) the establishment of a ceasefire in Syria during the religious festival of Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), proposed by UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. To note, armed terrorist groups continue to infiltrate from neighbouring countries.

In a statement given to the press, the organ of 15 members welcomed the proposal made by the emissary to the Syrian authorities and the various "opposition" armed groups in connection with the celebration of the festive date.

In turn, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vitaly Tchurkin confirmed that the Moscow has indicated that Syrian government has accepted the truce proposed by Brahimi, a position that will be officially unveiled on Thursday (25th).

The Security Council statement was revealed by the current president of the organization, Gert Rosenthal (Guatemala), to terminate a private meeting of members of the Board with Brahimi, via videoconference from the City of Cairo.

The document calls on the representatives of the UN and the Arab League and all international actors that have influence on the parties to the conflict to support the efforts of the mediator with respect to a "cease fire and end to all the violence in Syria."

It also urged the country's government to allow immediate access to humanitarian aid personnel to provide the kind of help needed.

"The truce during the Eid Al-Adha must be a first step towards a sustainable end to all violence and an opening to an inclusive political transition, in the control  of the Syrians and in the direction of building a democratic and plural system," it adds.

The President of the Security Council confirmed that the truce proposed by Brahimi has not yet been agreed to officially.

However, the armed groups, which evidence indicates that they are formed, sustained and infiltrated from neighboring countries, continue with their acts of terrorist violence.

On Wednesday a car bomb exploded in Damascus that left four dead and 11 wounded, according to preliminary information, and on Tuesday (23rd) one of the terrorist gangs perpetrated a bloody massacre in the town of Douma, 20 kilometers from the capital, in which 25 people were beheaded, including children, women and elderly.

In condemning such acts of terrorism, the Syrian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday requested that the UN and its agencies, in particular the Human Rights Council, repudiate terrorism against that country and those who commit and sustains it.

The Russian ambassador to the UN said that the initiative of the truce, which must be respected in the same manner by armed terrorist groups, is the first declaring a cease-fire and ending the violence in Syria.

He also highlighted the importance and exhortation made by the Security Council to "all international actors" to support the new effort and to use their influence for the fulfillment of the treaty.

Still, he stressed the importance of using the moment to advance towards a peaceful political settlement.

Tchurkin assured that Brahimi reiterated to the Security Council that the Geneva declaration is the basis for work in this direction, "as the document was signed in consensus by the international community" on the problem.

The text was agreed upon last June 30 during a conference between representatives of the UN and the Arab League and those responsible for the foreign policy of the European Union, China, USA, France, UK, Russia, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar.

All were placed on behalf of the ending  of violence in Syria and outlined guidelines for a future transition in the country, in particular the establishment of a government that includes all political forces.

Source: Prensa Latina



Translated from the Portuguese version by:

Lisa Karpova
Pravda.Ru