Some sponsors of anti-Syria resolution are arming terrorists: Iran

TEHRAN,Aug.5(MNA) – The deputy head of the Iranian mission to the United Nations said that some backers of the most recent anti-Syria resolution are among the countries supplying weapons to terrorists in the Arab country. Es’haq Ale-Habib made the remarks during a speech at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday before the 193-nation assembly approved the Saudi-drafted resolution, which expressed “grave concern” at the escalation of violence in Syria and condemned the Security Council for its action, with 133 votes in favor, 12 against, and 31 abstentions. According to Reuters, dozens of other countries, including many Western states, co-sponsored the resolution. Syria’s staunch ally Russia was among the 12 countries that opposed the resolution in the assembly, where no country has a veto but all decisions are non-binding. Others that voted against it included China, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Cuba, and a number of other nations that often criticize the West. Some countries did not participate in the vote. The resolution has the assembly “deploring the failure of the Security Council to agree on measures to ensure the compliance of Syrian authorities with its decisions.” It also calls for “an inclusive Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, pluralistic political system.” In his speech, the Iranian envoy stated that the resolution cannot diminish the devastating impact of foreign interference in Syria. Acts of interference and the supply of weapons to opposition groups in Syria will exacerbate the situation, he said, adding that the resolution fails to hold armed terrorist rebels in Syria accountable and does not condemn their use of violence and foreign meddling. Ale-Habib said that the resolution, which he called “one-sided”, is a departure from international efforts meant to defuse the crisis in Syria and the principles of the UN Charter and international law. He also criticized those Western countries that made efforts to scuttle the plan put forward by Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League joint special envoy on Syria. Annan, who announced on Thursday that he would leave office when his appointment expires on August 31, had put forward a six-point plan for ending the crisis in Syria, which calls for a UN-supervised ceasefire by all parties, the withdrawal of soldiers and heavy weapons from cities, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Iranian envoy added that it is necessary to move ahead with Annan’s plan and to work out a peaceful solution to the crisis. In addition, Ale-Habib noted that Iran encourages opposition groups in Syria to enter into negotiations with the Syrian government.