Al-Dahhak: Washington underestimates the international community by preventing the Security Council from stopping Israel’s aggression on the Palestinian people and its attacks on Syria

New York-(ST)- Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Qusay Al-Dahhak has affirmed that the United States continues to underestimate the will of the member states of the international organization by preventing the Security Council from carrying out its responsibilities in maintaining peace and security and stopping the Israeli occupation’s aggression against the Palestinian people and its attacks on Syrian territories.

Al-Dahhak explained in a statement on Tuesday during a Security Council session on “Political and Humanitarian Situation in Syria” that the entire world has witnessed for the 144th day the war crimes against humanity and genocide being committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people, while the Security Council stands helpless and paralyzed as a result of the United States’ preventing Security Council from carrying out its responsibilities in maintaining peace and security in the region by using  its veto four times to prevent the condemnation of Israel’s aggressive actions, and the halting of war Gaza in a blatant disregard for the will of the member states of the Council in particular and the United Nations in general.

Al-Dahhak pointed out that in a malicious attempt to expand and escalate tension in the region, the Israeli occupation continues its attacks on Syrian territory, targeting residential buildings and the homes of safe civilians, the most recent of which was the air aggression that targeted a residential building in Kafr Sousa neighborhood in Damascus last Wednesday which led to the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians, and caused material damage to private property.

Al-Dahhak went on to saay: ”We listened to the briefing of the United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen who will visit Damascus next month. In this regard, I note that we presented to him a constructive proposal to hold the ninth round of meetings of the Committee for Discussing the Constitution, and we hope that his efforts will be a success”.

Al-Dahhak pointed out that Syria is pressing ahead with its efforts to combat terrorism, and at the same time, exerting every effort to improve the living conditions of citizens, which have been worsened by the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States and Western countries on the Syrian people.

Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations stated that at the conclusion of the 21st international meeting in the Astana format, the guarantor states renewed their emphasis on respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. They also condemned the Israeli attacks on Syria and unilateral coercive measures imposed on the country, emphasized the necessity of combating terrorism, creating appropriate conditions for the return of refugees, and rejecting separatist agendas and the illegal seizure and transfer of Syrian oil.

He thanked Russia and Iran for their contribution to the success of the work of this round, and, at the same time, called on Turkey to implement its obligations according to the Astana Agreements and the Sochi Understandings, and withdraw its forces which are illegally present on Syrian territory.

Al-Dahhak stressed that Syria will continue its serious and constructive cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and with other partners in humanitarian work with the aim of supporting the efforts to improve the humanitarian situation of citizens and enhance their resilience and livelihoods, including by focusing on early recovery projects. In this respect, “Syria has extended the permission granted to the United Nations to use three border crossings to deliver humanitarian aid to the northwest of the country, which is still under the control of terrorist organizations. It has also extended its approval to use the Sarmada and Saraqib crossings to deliver aid,” Al-Dahhak said.

He stressed the need to review the mechanism of humanitarian work in all parts of Syria and affirmed the importance of the United Nations’ restoring its full role and mandate in Syria.

He also stated that the constructive dialogue and cooperation between Syria and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees led to understanding between the two sides, which was announced during the work of the 74th session of the Commission’s Executive Committee.

Al-Dahhak noted the measures taken by Syria to provide a suitable environment for the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes, including issuing several amnesty decrees, adopting the approach of reconciliation and settlement processes, moving forward with developing the legislative and organizational structure and facilitating the process of granting of documents, etc.

“Western countries continued the imposition of unilateral coercive measures, Washington’s systematic plundering of Syria’s wealth and economic resources, the continued illegal military presence of American and Turkish forces in Syria, the Turkish attacks on the Alouk water station to deprive citizens in Al-Hasakah Governorate of potable water, the repeated Israeli attacks on civilian facilities have prevented the return of refugees to their homeland and obstructed the United Nations’ humanitarian and development role in Syria”,  Al-Dahhak pointed out.

Al-Dahhak stressed that Syria believes that constructive dialogue is the foundation of international relations, and that building friendly relations between countries depends on full respect for their  sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. Therefore, Syria’s hand is extended to all who want good for it and its people, and it is working to restore security and stability to its lands, to end the suffering of its people, and to implement development achievements.

In response to the American delegate, Al-Dahhak said: ‘Unfounded allegations and accusations contained in the United States representative’ statement.’

As for Al-Rukban camp, the American occupation of the Al-Tanf area must be ended, and the occupation forces must stop sponsorship of terrorist organizations active in that region, calling on him to stop the attacks against Syria, Al-Dahak said

Al-Dahhak added: Drug trafficking, like other illegal trafficking practices, systematic looting, and smuggling of oil, antiquities, and other Syrian wealth, are all crimes committed by the American occupation forces and its tools of terrorist organizations and puppet militias, while Syria is making every effort in cooperation with neighboring countries to confront drug trafficking and it has realized important achievements in this regard.

Hanan Shamout