Lavorv Stresses Inadmissibility of New Provocations by Terrorists with Use of Chemical Weapons

UNITED NATIONS- Restoration of infrastructure in Syria and the return of refugees to their home must top the agenda of the United Nations activities in that country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday, according to Itar Tass.

“The agenda includes restoration of destroyed infrastructure to facilitate the return of millions of refugees to their homes,” he told the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly. “The assistance in addressing these tasks in the interests of all Syrians without any double standards must become the priority of the international efforts and the activities of the UN organizations.”

 The Syrian National Dialogue Congress, held in Sochi this January, created conditions for political settlement on the basis of UN SC Resolution 2254, he went on to say. “This is precisely the basis for the Inter-Syrian Constitutional Committee that is currently being established in Geneva.”

The Russian top diplomat stressed the inadmissibility of new provocations by terrorists “and their patrons” with the use of chemical weapons. “The conflict in Syria is already seven years old,” he recalled.

He pointed out that the failed attempt of a “regime change” orchestrated from the outside and relying on the extremists has aimed at destroying and dividing the country and resulted in the emergence of a terrorist [caliphate].  He pointed out that he energetic actions by Russia in response to the request of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic supported by the diplomatic steps in the framework of the Astana process helped to prevent this fatal scenario”.

H.M