Kuwait behind G-20 11-nation statement

"The State of Kuwait supports the recently announced position of a group of 11 countries of the G-20, and most particularly that inaction regarding the use of chemical weapons would mean increased threat of further proliferation and use of such weapons," said a statement by the Foreign Ministry, Tuesday, quoting an authoriatative source. Kuwait also supports the call for unambiguous international response that sends a clear message that such act shall not go unanswered and constitutes a grave violation of International Law and the Chemical Weapons Convention, the source said, adding that those responsible should be held accountable for such crime. The source said the state also agrees with the sentiment in the 11-nations statement regarding the need to continue to work for a peaceful political solution through complete implementation of the Geneva 2012 Communique on Syria. He also stressed Kuwait's keenness on a political solution for a united, inclusive, and free Syria. The 11-nation statement was signed by the leaders and representatives of Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, Britain, and the United States. "We call for a strong international response to this grave violation of the world's rules and conscience that will send a clear message that this kind of atrocity can never be repeated. Those who perpetrated these crimes must be held accountable," it said. It added, "Signatories have consistently supported a strong UN Security Council Resolution, given the Security Council's responsibilities to lead the international response, but recognize that the Council remains paralyzed as it has been for two and a half years. "The world cannot wait for endless failed processes that can only lead to increased suffering in Syria and regional instability. We support efforts undertaken by the United States and other countries to reinforce the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons," it said. The statement, however, stopped short of calling for "military response".