Tunisia opposed to any military intervention in Syria

Foreign Affairs Minister Othman Jérandi underlined that Tunisia is opposed to any foreign military intervention in Syria, reiterating rejection of such interference in independent and sovereign country. "This decision will have serious impact not only on Syria but also on the whole Region," he said at the end of a Higher Security Council meeting held on Friday in Tunis. The meeting, which was devoted to the situation in Syria, was attended by the Caretaker President and the interim Prime Minister. The Foreign Minister stressed the need to identify means likely to boost peaceful mechanisms for dialogue so as to find swift and efficient solutions to Syria's crisis, such as the Geneva 2 Middle East Peace Conference. He also reiterated Tunisia's position in favour of a peaceful political settlement of the crisis in Syria so as to avoid bloodshed and preserve the country's territorial unity, a Presidency of the Republic statement indicated. Jerandi emphasised the seriousness of the situation in Syria, especially that the conflict has reached a dangerous phase which consists in "using banned chemical weapons," the statement reads. "Tunisia," he pointed out, "condemns the use of such weapons as well as the excessive use of arms in this conflict" pending the United Nations investigation reports that will reveal the truth about the use of chemical weapons and the side behind such attacks.   The Foreign Minister stressed once again "Tunisia's solidarity with the Syrian people in their fight against dictatorship so as to establish a true democracy in their country." The Higher Security Council meeting was also attended by the Interior Minister, the Defense Minister as well as senior security and military officials.