Sabbagh: The wide participation of Syrians in the presidential elections confirms their commitment to the independence and unity of their homeland

New York, (ST) – Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Bassam Sabbagh, affirmed that the wide participation of Syrians in the presidential elections abroad and at home confirms the Syrian people’s adherence to the independence and unity of their homeland. This wide participation in the presidential elections also confirms the Syrian people’srefusal to submit to any pressure or blackmail. He pointed out that, holding the elections on time contributes to restoring security and stability and overcoming the effects of the terrorist war that Syria has been subjected to over the past ten years.

Sabbagh said during a session of the Security Council on Wednesday that, in the framework of fulfilling the constitutional entitlement represented by holding the presidential elections, on the twentieth of this month, Syrian embassies and diplomatic missions witnessed an unprecedented turnout of Syrians residing abroad to cast their votes. The electoral centers in the governorates also witnessed today the turnout of millions to participate in these elections. He affirmed that holding this constitutional entitlement means preserving Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.

Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations clarified that, holding the elections on time will contribute to restoring security and stability and overcoming the effects of the terrorist war that Syria has been subjected to over the past ten years. He pointed out that, the participation of the largest number of Syrians in these elections abroad and internally confirms the Syrian people’s rejection of all external attempts to disrupt and adhere to the independence and unity of their homeland.

Sabbagh also stressed that all conspiracies aimed at targeting Syria, its unity, independence and territorial integrity fell before the will of its people to stand fast and defend their homeland and their insistence on exercising their electoral right in full view of the world. He called on some countries to hear and see what the Syrians expressed during the elections and respect the will of the Syrian people. 

Sabbagh added that, it not shameful for some countries that claim democracy to prevent Syrians from going to their country’s embassies to perform their national duty under false and illegal pretexts.

On the other hand, Sabbagh pointed out that,theaggressive policies of some Western countries and the shameful silence towards it encouraged the Erdogan regime to continue committing its crimes against the Syrian people, including its use of water as a weapon of war against civilians.

Sabbagh reiterated Syria’s position regarding the politicized mechanism for the delivery of humanitarian aid across borders, which has revealed the practice over the past years the grave mistakes in its terms of violating Syria’s sovereignty and serving the interests of the Turkish occupation and its terrorist organizations.

He explained that the “aid delivery mechanism” from inside Syria is the best and most consistent mechanism with international law for the delivery of aid, pointing out that Syria provides all facilities to the United Nations to work on this matter

Sabbagh pointed out that, Syria is following the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, and renews its commitment to a political process with Syrian ownership and leadership. Syria also renews its commitment to its positive and constructive contribution in facilitating the holding of the sixth round of the Constitution Discussion Committee. He stressed the necessity of full respect for the Committee’s references and rules of procedures and not to interfere in its work.

Raghda Sawas