NEW YORK: Pakistan Saturday strongly urged Syrian National Coalition (SNC)’s engagement in a political process beginning with participation in Geneva-II Conference. Pakistan’s envoy Masood Khan said during UN Security Council's Formula meeting with the Syrian National Coalition that delaying dialogue would prolong the suffering of Syrian people. SNC, as well as the Syrian Government, should be ready with empowered interlocutors to enter into dialogue without preconditions.
He conveyed Pakistan’s deepest condolences to the families of 100,000 Syrians who have been killed in the past two years; and those who have been injured and maimed. “We also feel the pain and suffering of millions of Syrians who are living as refugees and displaced persons, away from their hearths and homes, in tents and other temporary shelters”, he added.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that Pakistan believes diplomacy cannot be delivered through the battleground. More war has no dividends for Syrian nation. He emphasized that for Syria, diplomacy is the way forward, not war.
He expressed fear that killings in Syria will continue; and that all forecasts indicate that in the coming months more Syrians will be killed and more Syrians will flee their homes. More women and children will be subjected to violence and abuse, he added.
Pakistan, Ambassador Masood Khan said, was attentive to the concerns of the SNC and its predicament. “The Independent Commission of Inquiry has concluded that both sides are committing grave crimes, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Accountability therefore should the across the board. The Geneva Conference is being postponed; while the demands for more arms supplies become louder”, he added.
While emphasizing that the political process should be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned; Ambassador Khan demanded implementation of Geneva communiqué in its entirety which provides a basis for resolution of the conflict in Syria.
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