Austria Chancellor for a Political Solution in Syria

VIENNA,(ST)_  Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann  called for finding  a political solution to the crisis in Syria, expressing concern about the EU’s  decision to lift arms embargo to the ( Syrian opposition).

The Austrian TV website on Friday quoted  Faymann as saying in a  Cabinet meeting: ” Sending more guns does not solve the problem, but that would aggravate tensions in the region”, expressing regret  over the position taken by some  EU countries towards “arming the Syrian opposition and Austria ‘s  inability to prevent the armament decision. “

Faymann also expressed deep concern about the future survival of the Austrian battalion within the UN Disengagement Observer Force  UNDOF in the Golan Heights, pointing out that “all options are debatable and we have to be prepared for every possibility, including the withdrawal.”

On the other hand, the Austrian  opposition Stronach  party warned of ” Austrian soldiers serving in UNDOF  to pay the  price of the EU wrong foreign and security policy, following its  decision to arm the Syrian opposition.”

On Thursday, the Austrian President Heinz Fischer called on the EU to make every possible effort to support a political solution to the crisis in Syria and not sending arms to the Syrian opposition, pointing out that his country played a rational  role in terms of rejecting  arming the “Syrian opposition”.

T. Fateh