New York, Aug. 27 (SANA) Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi said recent visits by senior UN officials to Damascus have marked the end of previous phases of tension, displacement and uncertainty and opened new chapters focused on partnership, return and clarity.
During a Security Council briefing on political and humanitarian developments in Syria on Thursday, Olabi said the UN secretary-general’s visit to Damascus ended an era of tension between the United Nations and Syria and opened a new chapter defined by partnership. He added that the visit by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees marked the end of an era of asylum and displacement and the beginning of a new phase centered on return.
The Ambassador also said the visit by the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Damascus marked the end of a period of ambiguity and the beginning of a phase of greater clarity in addressing issues inherited from the ousted regime.
Olabi renewed Syria’s call on all countries to cooperate in pursuing fugitives and supporting the transitional justice process, stressing that their extradition also protects other countries from the consequences of their crimes.
“We have ended an era defined by isolation and begun a new era defined by openness,” Olabi said.
Turning to regional developments, Olabi said Syria continues to secure its borders, combat terrorism, dismantle drug-trafficking networks and address files inherited from the ousted regime, including the nuclear and chemical files, while Israel continues to act in the opposite direction.
He said ongoing Israeli attacks undermine international and regional efforts undertaken over recent months to achieve security and stability in the region.
Olabi stressed that the Israeli attacks would not alter the Syrians’ course toward stability, adding that if Israel seeks stability, it must first halt its attacks and incursions and fully comply with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Syria has repeatedly called for respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity and an end to violations by the Israeli occupation forces, in line with international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
A/Dh – H.H
