The chorus of voices urging the UN Security Council to rule on the situation in Syria is growing; Secretary General Ban ki Moon himself defines it as “unacceptable”, while launching an appeal to the international community and the members of the Security Council to “speak with one voice to show unity”. The UN’s priorities, Ban ki Moon explained, are, first and foremost, to stop the violence and launch political dialogue. The UN calculates that more than 8,000 people have lost their lives to date; authorities report 2,000 among the military.
“In a situation that could trigger a civil war, what is needed as soon as possible is a “humanitarian” resolution from the United Nations Security Council”: that was the appeal from Arab League Secretary General Nabil El Araby, according to whom “the resolution must be clear and binding, put a stop to the fighting and introduce a mechanism by which to bring humanitarian relief to the population”. The immediate cessation of the violence and launch of an inclusive political process were reiterated by Under-Secretary Marta Dassù in a meeting at the foreign ministry in Rome with Assistant Secretary General of the UN Department of Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez Taranco.
“We are all horrified at the bloodbath going on” in Syria, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton said. “We have witnessed fighting in Damascus”, Ashton continued, “and crimes against humanity, with over 8000 people killed, which include children and babies”. The High Representative then reiterated the appeal “to stop the violence and allow access to humanitarian relief”. As for the former UN S-G’s mission, according to Ashton “Kofi Annan is doing his best to convince the regime to take measures and stop the violence”. At diplomatic level the EU “continues to work with the Arab League, the UN and cooperation organizations to increase the pressure”, Ashton continued, “and we support Kofi Annan’s efforts at seeking a political solution”. “We all believe”, she repeated, “that the Syrian population must be given the right to decide on its own future and to advance along this path without fear of reprisal”. In order for that to happen, the UN must make “every effort”, Ashton continued, “through sanctions and the political process”.
