Media Center

New York/ Information Office/ 20 October 2016/ The State of Qatar has demanded the UN Security Council to immediately intervene to protect civilians in Aleppo and other Syrian cities, stressing that the current situation in Syria poses the biggest challenge threat to the international community. This came in a statement delivered by HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, during the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including Palestinian cause. HE said that in light of the continued failure to find a final and fast solution to the Syrian crisis and the insistence of the Syrian regime to continue its flagrant violations of the international law, the situation in the Middle East will deteriorate more than today, warning of more serious consequences in Syria's sovereignty and its territorial integrity as well as the unity of its people, and the security and stability of the region and the world. She continued to said that despite the international community's efforts, represented by the International Syria Support Group, in order to reach a cessation agreement of hostilities which was approved by the Security Council in its resolution 2268, the Syrian regime continues its violations and attacks against civilians and civilian targets, use of indiscriminate weapons, massacres, obstruction of humanitarian convoys, prevention of the entry of basic needs to the besieged areas and the adoption of the policy of forced migration and demographic change. HE Ambassador Alia added that the Syrian regime relies more than ever on the current division in the Security Council to continue its violations of the international humanitarian law against civilians in Syria without worrying about the grave consequences of its policy. She also criticized the international community for its handling of the Syrian crisis, saying that the reason of sorrow that this humanitarian disaster that shocked the conscience of mankind were not enough to move to stop the bloodshed and protect civilians in Syria. HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani stressed in the statement the need for the Security Council to bear its responsibility that set up by the UN Charter to take quick and effective action to intervene to stop the abuses and to ensure the accountability of those responsible. HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, said in the statement that the only guarantee to end the violence in a sustainable way is the full implementation of 2254 resolution which confirmed that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, with a view to full implementation of the Geneva Communique, the establishment of an inclusive transitional governing body with full executive powers, releasing the detainees, lifting of the blockade and allowing humanitarian access. In this context, HE stressed that the State of Qatar will continue its efforts in the International Syria Support Group to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and the international law. HE Sheikha Alia drew attention to the increasing challenges facing the world and that are imposing on the international community to work at a commensurate pace with the risks of these challenges to the international peace and security, saying that the lessons derived from the slowdown in effective international action in addressing conflicts and crises was tough, and today we are paying a high price due to the increasing and complexity of conflicts, as well as the spread of terrorism. She also referred to the Security Council periodic meetings on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, expressing belief that achieving peace in the Middle East depends on the conflicts parties' commitment to the provisions of the International Law. The International Community has unanimously agreed on the principles and criteria that should be worked upon to reach a settlement to the Middle East, HE said, adding that the achievement of peace in region and the elimination of terrorism begins by the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions and by responding to initiatives aimed at achieving this goal. She also said that there is no substitute for the two states solution (Palestine and Israel), living in peace and security side by side, and the recognition of the right of Palestine as an independent state on the 1967 borders with its capital East Jerusalem, and in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 and 338, the Arab peace initiative, the end of the Israeli occupation of all occupied Arab territories, the immediate and full cessation of settlement activities, the lifting of the blockade on the Gaza Strip, the international protection for the Palestinian people, the return of refugees and the return of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, HE Ambassador Alia said that the State of Qatar is aware of the importance of addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and its positive impact in supporting efforts to achieve peace, stressing that it will continue its humanitarian efforts to meet its obligations in the reconstruction and stabilization in the sector.