Abduction of bishops ‘foreign-backed terrorist act’, stresses Damascus
DAMASCUS,(ST)_Syrian Arab Republic is to go ahead with confronting the organized Takfiri terrorism that targets its national unity, Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said.
In a letter sent to the UN Security Council about abducting two Syrian bishops by al-Nusra Front-affiliated armed terrorist groups, the ministry said that this terrorist crime is part of the terrorists’ practices that target coexistence and tolerance in Syria.
The letter clarified how the two bishops were abducted, reading: “On April 22, 2013, an armed group led by Chechen terrorists from al-Nusra Front intercepted the car and forced the Syriac Orthodox bishop of Aleppo, Msgr. Youhanna Ibrahim and the Greek-Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo and Iskenderun, Msgr. Boulos al-Yazigi to get out of the car.”
The terrorists killed the deacon driver and abducted the two bishops, who were carrying out humanitarian mission in Aleppo countryside, the ministry’s letter added.
It appealed to the UNSC to issue a clear statement stressing the international community’s rejection of such crimes and determination to hold perpetrators of these crimes and those who support them accountable.
“The political settlement based on national dialogue between Syrians and under Syria’s leadership requires pressing the states, which support these groups, to stop fueling violence and terrorism,” the ministry concluded.
On the other hand, the ministry criticized as ‘unjustified and clear bias’ ignorance of the political program outlined by the Syrian Arab Republic on January, 6th, 2013, noting that the Syrian opposition has no other political program based on national dialogue and under Syria’s leadership to build the country’s future.
Brahimi must be neutral broker
Foreign and Expatriates Ministry described, in a statement issued today, the UN Envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi’s speech before the 15-member council on Friday, as an intervention in Syria’s internal affairs.
It underscored that Brahimi must be honest and neutral UN broker and abides by the UN charter and international law. “He must realize that only the Syrian people have the right to decide their future and select their representatives without meddling.”
The ministry added that Brahimi mustn’t be biased towards any side, especially if this side consists of al-Qaeeda-linked groups and practices terrorism against the Syrian people.
UN Envoy only
“Syria cooperated and will cooperate with Brahimi as a UN Envoy only because the Arab League takes part in conspiracy against Syria, the ministry’s statement said.
It added: “If Brahimi wants his mission to be success, he has to work with involved parties to halt violence and unmask the role of some European states- particularly France and Britain- plus Turkey and Arab states- Qatar and Saudi Arabia- in supplying terrorists.”
Basma Qaddour