UAE- Give peace a chance in Syria: paper
Date
12/21/2015 2:53:13 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI 21st December 2015 (WAM) -- A UAE newspaper has said that years of strife and with millions of its people scattered across the globe peace is what Syrians yearn for. The country is in ruins and the spreading of radicalism poses major security challenges regionally and globally.
"The Syrian conflict has rattled the world so much that any initiative aimed to restore peace in that country should be welcomed without any hesitation" said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Monday.
"In this context it is good that in its first resolution that focuses on ending Syria's five-year-long war the Security Council has now given the United Nations an enhanced role in shepherding the opposing sides to talks for a political transition with a timetable for a ceasefire a new constitution and elections all under UN auspices.
"Also to give the Syrian peace prospects a strong push foreign ministers from 17 countries gathered in New York before the council's session. The UAE has always been a peace-loving country and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foreign Minister also took part in the meeting presided over by the US Secretary of State John Kerry.
"As Kerry put it the UNSC has sent a clear message to all concerned that the time is now to stop the killing in Syria and lay the groundwork for a government that the long-suffering people of that battered land can support.
"Raising the hopes further the UN Council has called for a Syrian-led political process facilitated by the UN to establish within six months "credible inclusive and non-sectarian governance" setting a schedule for drafting a new constitution with free and fair elections to be held within 18 months under UN supervision with all Syrians including members of the diaspora eligible to vote.
"The resolution has rightly demanded that all parties immediately cease attacks against civilians including medical facilities and personnel and the indiscriminate use of weapons including shelling and aerial bombardment.
"More than 250000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011. The civil war has been the main driver of mass displacement with more than 4.2 million Syrian refugees having fled abroad and 7.6 million uprooted within their shattered homeland as of mid-year.
"An opportunity for peace has at last emerged. All parties involved in the talks should seize the chance. There is a dire need for leaders deliberating on the Syrian issue to take a flexible approach.
"The unambiguous goal is end to violence and a negotiated peace solution. The participating leaders should leave no stone unturned in achieving that" concluded the Sharjah-based daily.
WAM/Esraa