President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, Nasr Al-Hariri, held a virtual meeting with Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, Stefano Stefanil, and discussed with him the latest developments in Syria on the sidelines of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.
The meeting brought together Coordinator of the SOC’s Department of Foreign Relations, Abdulahad Asteipho and the SOC’s Representative to the United Nations, Maryam Jalabi.
Al-Hariri expressed the SOC’s disappointment at the results of the latest round of talks by the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, making it clear that an agreement was not reached for the agenda for the next round of talks due to the Assad regime’s procrastination.
Moreover, Al-Hariri called for a more effective UN role in stopping the Assad regime’s violations against civilians, enforcing its resolutions on Syria, especially UN Resolution 2254, and making confidence-building measures including the release of detainees from the Assad regime’s prisons. He also stressed the need for maintaining international isolation on the regime and ensuring accountability for those involved in war crimes in Syria.
He called for using the Uniting for Peace principle to avoid the Russian veto and prevent Russia from blocking action at the UN Security Council.
Al-Hariri pointed out that Russia has used its veto power 16 times since 2011 to shield a dictator who committed the most heinous crimes against civilians, including the use of chemical weapons, which was confirmed by international investigators.
He also talked about the Assad regime and its backers’ continued violations as well as the dire humanitarian situation in Syria, especially in light of the coronavirus outbreak. He called for stepping up support for the Syrian Interim Government to help it improve the living conditions in the liberated areas as well as deliver humanitarian and relief aid to those in need.
He gave an overview on the conditions of Syrian refugees in Somalia, Iraq, Greece, Denmark, and Lebanon, citing the death of a Syrian prisoner in Roumieh prison and the reports of violations and abuses affecting them. He urged action to save their lives following reports of outbreak of the coronavirus inside the prison.
For his part, the Italian diplomat reaffirmed his country’s support for a political solution in Syria in accordance with UN Resolution 2254 and its commitment to humanitarian support for Syrian civilians, especially refugees. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
