New York, March 18 (SANA) – Several UN Security Council members commended steps taken by the Syrian government to combat terrorism and promote stability, while stressing the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and halt repeated Israeli violations.
During a session on the humanitarian and political situation in Syria, UN Deputy Special Envoy Claudio Cordone said he had witnessed extensive destruction and a legacy of violations across the country following years of war. He called on Israel to respect Syria’s sovereignty and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, while praising Damascus’ engagement with regional and international actors to prevent further escalation and ensure Syrian territory is not used to widen the conflict. Cordone also pointed to early signs of economic improvement following the reactivation of external financial channels, and welcomed Syrian efforts against ISIS (Daesh).
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya warned that ongoing regional escalation is limiting progress, but noted that Syria now has an opportunity to advance economic recovery and reduce reliance on humanitarian aid, emphasizing that renewed international engagement will be key to this process.
Council members broadly reiterated support for Syria’s unity and stability. Representatives of Denmark and Pakistan warned against continued Israeli violations of the 1974 agreement, while Russia and Somalia stressed that Israel’s actions in southern Syria and the occupied Syrian Golan increase regional risks. Several countries, including Türkiye, Bahrain, Colombia, China, and Greece, highlighted the importance of supporting Syria’s stabilization, reconstruction, and economic recovery efforts, with calls for greater international backing.
US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said Syria has undergone significant transformations over the past 15 months, praising international support for the government’s efforts to restore its regional role. Syria’s Permanent Representative Ibrahim Olabi affirmed that the country is advancing on a national path rooted in the values of the Syrian revolution, emphasizing continued institutional reforms, international engagement, and efforts to consolidate stability.
Kh.A
