New York, SANA – The A3+ group of the UN Security Council (UNSC) reiterated on Thursday its affirmation of the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria, while also expressing its encouragement for the dialogue and cooperation means between the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and Syria.
The Algerian Radio website quoted the A3+ group, which includes Algeria, Somalia, Sierra Leone, and Guyana, as affirming in a statement read by Algeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Amar Bendjama, at a Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria regarding its unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, saying that “these cannot be violated and must be respected, and regional measures must be taken to de-escalate the situation.”
In a related context, the group welcomed the positive communication between the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and Syria, including the visit of the OPCW Director-General to Damascus, in addition to the successful visits conducted by the organization, which achieved unprecedented access, cooperation, and the collection of new documents and samples that had not been previously disclosed, and it praised Syria’s readiness for transparent relations with the OPCW.
The A3+ group praised the Syrian authorities’ commitment to securing the organization’s offices in Damascus, providing full access and security escorts, and offering full cooperation during technical meetings with Syrian experts.
The group welcomed recent international economic developments related to Syria, including the lifting of sanctions by major international donors and the restoration of Syria’s eligibility for loans from international financial institutions, following debt settlements by regional partners.
Regarding the security situation in Syria, the group expressed deep concern over the escalation of Israeli airstrikes, particularly the airstrikes near the presidential palace in Damascus on May 2, and the attacks on Lattakia and Tartous. The group condemned these actions in the “strongest terms” and called for an immediate halt to all attacks against Syrian territory.
Nisreen Othman / Fedaa
