| Date: 03/08/2012 Time: 09:12:00 PM |
Saudi Arabia's Ambassador Abdallah
Al-Muallimi on Friday, expressed satisfaction at the results of the vote in
the General Assembly on the situation in Syria, saying it represents a
"victory" for the Syrian people and a "loud message" to the Security Council
which remains deadlocked on the issue because of the three double veto by
Russia and China since last October.
Speaking to reporters in his capacity as Chairman of the Arab group during
the month of July following the vote in the Assembly, Al-Muallimi said "today
is a victory for the Syrian people. It is the reflection of the will of the
international community to respond with one voice."
The vote was 133 in favour to 12 against, including Russia, China, and
Iran, with 31 abstentions, including Algeria.
Critical of the Council, he said "we have seen the results that
demonstrate the broad consensus within the international community, a
consensus that does not support the paralysis of the Security Council, a
consensus that says that the UN cannot be oblivious of the suffering of the
Syrian people, that demands action, a move towards a political process that
creates the conditions for meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people."
The result of the vote, he added, was also a "painful" victory because "we
did not want to have the circumstances to develop in such a manner that did
require the Arab group to come to the Assembly. But it is a victory,
nevertheless, because the number of votes in favour exceeds all our
expectations."
He added that the vote sends a "clear message" to the whole world that the
Council's inaction, because of the Russian and Chinese vetoes, "does not
reflect the international community's conscience and the world public opinion,
but rather this overwhelming vote in the Assembly reflects that."
He expressed hope that the Council will hear today's message by the world
community at large "loud and clear, that the paralysis of the Security Council
is unacceptable, the continued bloodshed in Syria is unacceptable and that the
Council must move in unity."
Introducing the Arab draft resolution in the Assembly before the vote,
Al-Muallimi urged its members to vote in favour and uphold its moral
responsibilities.
"We present to you today this draft being fully confident that the
conscience of the world will not ignore the distress and cries of the Syrian
people who faces the artillery and tanks with open chests." He said.
"We urge you in the name of Baba Amr's children, the martyrs of Aleppo, the
victims of Traimsah, the slaughtered people of Foqair, Houla and the Syrian
men and women everywhere to uphold humanitarian, moral and historical
responsibilities by voting with us in favour of this resolution," he added.
Security Council President Ambassador Gerard Araud also described to
reporters the vote in the Assembly as a "success."
He expressed satisfaction that the Arab resolution was "strong" and was
supported by a "large majority," noting sarcastically that the same 12 member
states voting against, such as North Korea, Zimbabwe, Iran, etc. belong to the
"democratic club."
On what is next in the Council, he said "ask the Russians and the Chinese"
who vetoed three drafts on the issue. "Will they continue to block the action
by the international community? It is up to them to answer." |