Qatari Premier Addresses Friends of Syria Conference

Tunis, February 24 (QNA) - The Friends of Syria opened here on Friday in the presence of the Tunisia’s President Mohammed Moncef Al Marzouki, with participation of representatives of 80 countries and international organizations. HE Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani delivered a speech at the conference in which he stressed that the Syrian people and the Arab world are waiting for the Friends of Syria Conference to take practical steps to stop the practices of the Syrian regime including the killing of innocent civilians and to alleviate human suffering experienced by the Syrian people. HE the Premier and Foreign Minister urged the Syrian leadership to take a bold and decisive decision in favor of the Syrian people, calling at the same time on the Syrian opposition to unite in honour of those who sacrificed their lives and their money inside Syria. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said that the convening of the Friends of Syria Conference is a response to the humanitarian and ethical considerations, as well as a confirmation that the international community has a real will to resolve this crisis and help the Syrian people in achieving their legitimate demands for freedom and justice. Referring to the UN General Assembly adoption of the Arab draft resolution on the situation in Syria, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that the vote in favour of the draft resolution, by an overwhelming majority represents a clear message to the regime in Syria which refuses to listen to the voice of reason and wisdom, and to respond to calls and initiatives calling for stemming the bloodshed along the country. In this regard, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister noted that the Syrian regime took advantage of the UN Security Council failure to take a resolution condemning violence following the Russian and Chinese veto, as a cover for continuing to use the security option, and the adoption of systematic military action to suppress the people. HE the Prime Minister criticized the Syrian regimes reforms and described them as "frail claims." HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said that such attempts were only made to play for time and accused the Syrian regime of attempting to circumvent around the Arab League's initiative on Syria. The Arab initiative on Syria calls for forming a national reconciliation government that would pave the way for establishing a pluralistic political system in which all citizens are equal. The initiative also requires that President Al Assad delegates all his powers to the Vice President as well as forming an independent authority that looks into all the violations the previous regime committed against citizens in Syria. HE the Prime Minister recommended forming an Arab Peacekeeping force in Syria to end the violence taking place there. HE The Prime Minister said that such measures will be a "true and practical" way to end the violence in Syria. Among HE the Prime Minister's recommendation also were allowing a safe passage for humanitarian aid, committing to the Arab League's resolution, accredited in January 22, 2012. Finally, HE the Prime Minister urged the Human Rights Council, which will meet in two days, to take tough measure against all who has violated the human rights of the Syrian people. HE Prime Minister stressed the need for achieving the stability and political independence of Syria HE the Prime Minister added. (QNA)