Syria affirms terrorism hinders development

NEW YORK, (ST)_Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations has underscored that wrong policies of some countries and short-sightedness towards the situation in Syria are behind the continuity of terrorism in it.

Bashar al-Ja’afari added that the involvement of some countries in fueling the crisis in Syria for achieving immoral political interests and not being serious in fighting terrorism in the region are other reasons for the spread of terrorism all over the world.

He clarified that Syria is facing terrorism led by terrorists, extremists, brokers and known international and regional intelligence bodies that seek to destroy Syria, which is the citadel of co-existence and tolerance in the region.

Conflict in Syria

“The ongoing conflict in Syria is a conflict between moderation and extremism; civilization and backwardness; stability and chaos. …You daily see the scenes of destruction and killing led by terrorists affiliated to ISIS and al-Nusra Front and other terrorist organizations in Syria, which are called by some countries as the ‘armed moderate opposition’ that recently delivered its US weapons to al-Nusra Front [Jabhat al-Nusra] according to a statement released yesterday by the Pentagon ,”  the veteran diplomat said addressing the 2015 Sustainable Development Summit on Sunday.  

He asserted that terrorism that has hit Syria since more than 4 years dispels Syrians’ achievements and their process towards development.

“In light of Syria’s suffering from the scourge of terrorism, we strongly support that the adopted document mention and consider combating terrorism as a priority to achieve sustainable development,” al-jaafari says, adding that combating terrorism should be based on principles, primarily observing the UN Charter and the international law rules on respecting the countries’ sovereignty and implementing the UN resolutions related to fighting terrorism and holding to account the governments, organizations and individuals involved in supporting terrorists.

He referred to the grave repercussions of the unilateral economic sanctions imposed on various Syrian vital sectors on development in the country.

Immigration

Regarding the issue of immigration from Syria, al-Jaafari said it is the result of the “wrong approach” of some countries in dealing with the situation in the developing countries, including lack of seriousness in economically supporting these countries and involvement in fueling crises and interference in their internal affairs.

“Israeli’s continued occupation of the Arab territories for more than six decades is another main hurdle to development in the region,” al-Ja’afari concluded.

World leaders adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals that aim at eradicating poverty, fighting climate change, ensuring gender equality and education for all, among other things.

Basma Qaddour