UAE welcomes international efforts for renewing ceasefire in Syria

The UAE has welcomed all international diplomatic efforts being made to renew truce in fighting areas in Syria, and in Aleppo city in particular.

It called upon all warring parties to make sincere and serious efforts to enable the success of the political process, put an end to violence against civilians, facilitate delivery of emergency relief to besieged areas.

This came in a speech delivered by the UAE Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, during the UN Human Rights Council's interactive dialogue on the oral update of Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria.

He noted that the report prepared by Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, showed that human rights in Syria have deteriorated because of violence that the regime's regular forces and allies militia continue to perpetrate against civilians in the absence of political solution to the crisis.

Despite the fragile ceasefire in Syria, the UAE is concerned that the political track will be undermined by this unprecedented escalation against civilians, he noted.

Al Zaabi also stressed that the UAE condemns all forms of violations, including those perpetrated against any ethnic or religious group. He added that the UAE condemns the crimes committed by terrorist group Daesh and noted that they amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The perpetrators of these crimes should be brought to justice, Al Zaabi stressed.

He reiterated the UAE's commitment to a political solution in Syria.

Al Zaabi said the UAE has provided US$635 million in humanitarian aid for Syria.

It also provided $35 million from a total of $137 million it pledged at the London Syria Conference in February 2016.

Source :WAM