Syria needs an overhaul – Lavrov, Brahimi

 

The Russian Minister said the family of nations must continue its efforts to find a peaceful solution for Syria:

"Russia is determined to help the United Nations and the Arab League implement the decisions of last June’s Geneva conference on Syria and bring about a political dialogue between the Syrian sides. The Geneva resolutions were backed by all outside powers wielding influence on the Syrians and must be acted upon. Accordingly, the Syrian government and the opposition must be persuaded to cease hostilities and start talks aimed at forming a transitional government for their country."

Mr Lavrov again:

"Implementing a workable ceasefire supposes the presence of international observers on Syrian soil. Sending them is a matter for the UN Security Council. The next Syrian mission must be considerably stronger than the last one that had to be rolled up in August."

Mr Lavrov urged the Security Council to get down to considering concrete plans for its next Syria mission. He also pointed out that Russia is the only outside power that continues to maintain contact with both the Syrian opposition and the Syrian government. This makes it the best possible mediator in the Syrian conflict.

Mr Lakhdar Brahimi said the Syrian people deserve the strongest possible international support of their efforts to restore normality to their long-suffering country, and this support must come in the form of a meaningful engagement involving all outside powers that have interests or contacts in Syria and all the sides in the Syrian conflict He said the Syrian violence must come to an end and give way to a new peaceful Syria. Syria and its neighbours, Mr Brahimi argued, are in need of profound change which amounts to a complete overhaul.

The United Kingdom has blocked a Russian-tabled Security Council motion to condemn one of the latest terror attacks in Syria. Its envoy said the British delegation did not possess sufficient information about this attack.

The incident in question took place last Friday when unidentified terrorists detonated a bomb near a children’s playground in Damascus leaving several kids dead and several others injured.

In a statement posted on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry Monday, Moscow condemned Britain’s veto on its resolution as an instance of double standards at work. It said approaches of this kind can do nothing but encourage terrorists.

Syrian troops backed by armour and air power have moved to retake suburban Damascus neighbourhoods which were seized by armed rebels in violation of the Eid al-Adha ceasefire.

The rebels have been using these areas for launching attacks on government forces.

Syrian state television said 10 people, including women and children, were killed by a car bomb in the southeastern district of Jaramana in the capital of Damascus on Monday.

"A terrorist car bomb exploded on the Rooda road, next to the bakery entrance," state TV said.

Damascus residents say Jaramana is controlled by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, who is fighting an armed revolt against forty years of family rule.