Sabbagh: “Israel” is the main threat to peace and security in the region

New York, (ST) – Syria affirmed that the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East requires obligating the Israeli occupation entity to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The matter requires subjecting all Israel’s facilities to the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, especially as all the countries of the region have joined the treaty and are still waiting for the promises made to pressure  Israel” to join it.

Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Bassam Sabbagh, said in a statement on Tuesday before the second session of the conference on “Establishing a Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East” that, Syria considers the establishment of regional zones free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction as a positive step and an effective contribution towards achieving the goals of non-proliferation and disarmament and a key element in creating a secure and stable world.

Sabbagh pointed out that, Syria is keen to move forward with measures to make the Middle East region free of all weapons of mass destruction. It was one of the first countries to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 1969.”This matter confirms Syria’s keenness to strengthen the non-proliferation system and a serious contribution to maintaining regional and international peace and security”, he added

Sabbagh pointed out that at a time when all the countries of the Middle East region joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty, “Israel” continued its refusal to join that treaty as a non-possessor, as well as the main treaties and agreements related to the prohibition and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the matter that makes” Israel” the main reason for undermining the effectiveness of the non-proliferation system in the region and the world.

Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations said that, the protection umbrella provided by Western countries contributed to Israel’s exclusive possession of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, and support for those countries to develop Israeli military, nuclear, biological and chemical programs, the matter which made “Israel” the main threat to peace and security in the region.

Sabbagh stressed that the failure of the international community to implement its commitments regarding the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East and the policies of condoning dangerous Israeli practices have led to negative repercussions on the state of security and stability in that region. 

Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations said that, the international community must take serious practical steps in order to oblige “Israel” to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-possessor and unconditionally.

Sabbagh added that, “Israel” should subject all its nuclear facilities and activities under comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards in accordance with Security Council Resolution 487 of 1981 and Resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference of 2009 as an important step towards establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East”.

“Syria stressed that, the establishment of this zone does not require confidence-building measures, but rather for Israel’s accession to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and subjecting all of its facilities to the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards”, Sabbagh reiterated.

Raghda Sawas