No one benefiting from the Syrian turmoil

TEHRAN, May 13 (MNA) – The continued unrest in Syria after months of relentless efforts by international mediators demonstrates the complexity of the crisis on the ground. The assignment of former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan as special envoy for the Syrian crisis has produced no remedy and terrorist groups are forging ahead with acts of sabotage. These have massively undermined the prospect of peace in Syria and no one is really sure who is benefiting from the turmoil. Annan’s proposed ceasefire has not materialized. Nor has the carnage in Syria stopped, despite a parliamentary poll on Monday which the government promoted as a milestone on its path to reform. The continuous support provided by some Arab states in the region which are mostly backed by the West is viewed by many as the main reason for the failure of Annan’s six-point peace initiative. The only way to stop violence and bloodshed in Syria is for the UN to pile more pressure on those countries supporting the terrorist groups. Otherwise the security situation would deteriorate and more innocent people would lose their lives. There is a profound concern that the country could descend into civil war, which will have frightening implications for the entire region. This also makes the Syrian people more disappointed and could reduce the popularity of the Syrian government – the only legitimate force in Syria capable of restoring order. Bearing all this in mind, it can be said that no one is really benefiting from the sustained unrest. Even the terrorists groups are not sure about their future and almost none of their objectives have yet been realized. Sabah Zanganeh is the Iranian Judiciary chief’s top advisor on international affairs and formerly served as Iran’s envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. (By Sabah Zangeneh)