Foreign Ministers of UNSC’s Permanent Member States Discuss Crisis in Syria

NEW YORK, (ST)- The foreign ministers of the Security Council permanent member states and the UN Chief Antonio Guterres discussed on Thursday the settlement of the crisis in Syria in addition to the situation in the Korean  peninsula.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, discussed with his counterparts from the United States, France, China and Britain ways of achieving settlement in Syria, in addition to intensifying anti- terrorism efforts, contributing to the political process and increasing humanitarian aid to the Syrian Arab Republic.

 The sides exchanged view points on the situation in the Korean peninsula and focused on finding political and diplomatic solution to the crisis there.

 Situation in Syria gives grounds for cautious optimism — Lavrov

In his speech at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly,  Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday  that the current developments in Syria give grounds for cautious optimism, Itar Tass reported.

“The development of the situation in Syria gives grounds for cautious optimism,” he said, adding that the formation of four de-escalation zones in Syria was finalized at the international meeting on Syria that was held in Astana on September 14-15. Agreements on these zones were reached with the participation of Russia, Iran, Turkey, the United States, Jordan, the United Nations with support from many other countries.

According to Lavrov, these agreements “have created conditions for further progress towards the implementation of Resolution 2254 on the basis of direct dialogue between the government and the opposition aimed at joining their efforts to eliminate as soon as possible the terrorist hotbed and restore peace all over the country, and its unity, and resolve acute humanitarian problems.”

The Russian foreign minister named the increase of humanitarian aid supplies and efforts to demine the liberated territories among the most important tasks in Syria.

“We are convinced that all those who sincerely wish peace to Syria and its people must join their efforts in this process under the leadership of the UN, and without any preconditions,” Lavrov said.

Hamda Mustafa