EU Leaders Call for Political Solution to crisis in Syria

ST. PETERSBURG– The European Union’s two most senior officials called Thursday for a political solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria as world leaders gathered in St. Petersburg for a G20 Summit,according to RIA Novosti.

“There is no military solution to the crisis in Syria, only a political solution can end the terrible crisis ,” European Council President Herman Van Rompuy told reporters in St. Petersburg shortly after US President Barack Obama arrived in the city.

This call for a political solution was echoed by President of the European Commission Jose Barroso.

 “The situation remains a stain on the world’s conscience,” said Barroso, standing alongside Van Rompuy. “The European Union believes that efforts should be evolved towards a political solution to the crisis .”

World leaders oppose Obama’s call for intervention. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that it would not have made sense for Assad to have authorized the use of chemical weapons, and that any attack on Syria without a UN Security Council resolution would amount to “aggression.”

Van Rompuy added that the “international community cannot remain idle,” and the United Nations must be used as a means for resolving the crisis. “While respecting the recent calls for action we underscore at the same time the need to move forward with addressing the Syrian crisis through the UN process,” he said.

M.D