New York, Sept. 11 (SANA) Representatives of several UN member states joined Syria’s UN envoy Ibrahim Olabi outside the Security Council in New York on Friday to condemn Israeli occupation’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s entry into Syrian territory and reaffirm support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
“Sovereignty is not selective, and territorial integrity is not negotiable,” Olabi told the gathering, describing both principles as indispensable pillars of the international order and a first line of defense against global instability.
Olabi said Israeli officials entered Syrian territory on Sept. 9 and traveled to the summit of Mount Hermon amid Israel’s continued military presence and repeated incursions into Syrian territory.
“International law is clear. The UN Charter is clear. And the 1974 Disengagement Agreement is equally clear,” Olabi said.
He said the countries participating in the gathering stood alongside Syria in calling for full respect for international law, the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions and the lines and arrangements established under the 1974 agreement.
Olabi said Syria had consistently distanced itself from the ongoing regional escalation and had repeatedly made clear that it would pose no threat to any of its neighbors, an approach he said had received repeated recognition from members of the international community.
He warned that military, political or other actions could undermine the significant progress made by the Syrian government, which he said was vital to both the Syrian people and the international community.
That progress included efforts to combat terrorism and terrorist organizations, tackle Captagon production and trafficking, address the legacy of the deposed regime’s chemical weapons program and outstanding nuclear issues, bring weapons under state control, build effective institutions, facilitate the safe and sustainable return of displaced people and refugees, and advance economic recovery, Olabi said.
He said the countries taking part in the gathering were reaffirming their firm commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.
“At this particularly volatile moment, Syria’s sovereignty must be respected and its stability protected,” Olabi said, adding that this was essential for the Syrian people, the region and international peace and security.
Syria had earlier strongly condemned Netanyahu’s entry into Syrian territory and his visit to Mount Hermon, calling the move a “blatant violation” of its sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.
Damascus held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the consequences of what it described as continued violations and called on the United Nations, international organizations and influential countries to act to halt the attacks and ensure a return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
MHD
