Syrian rebels drive past the shell of a military plane near Aleppo.| AFP PHOTO / ELIAS EDOUARD
Russia is the key to ending Syria conflict - MEP
"Moscow must now offer action to solve the Syria crisis, not simply words, " Charles Tannock MEP, Conservative foreign affairs spokesman told deputies in the European Parliament.
"It is hard to believe that the Syrian conflict has now been dragging on for two years, with so many lives lost and so little achieved in terms of bringing peace to a once-stable Middle East country. Only yesterday, a reported 87 people were killed in an attack on Aleppo's university campus, with each side blaming the other," he said.
He added, "But this does reinforce a crucial point about this war - namely, that both sides have been accused of atrocities, and we must be extremely cautious in our unqualified endorsements of the opposition forces, particularly the extremist jihadi ones."
But there were some actions that needed to happen, the deputy said, "One thing, however, is certain: the necessity for the utterly discredited and morally bankrupt President Assad to leave office. He has dropped bombs which is a war crime on his own civilians and been responsible for the deaths of an estimated 60,000 people."
He added, "Any resolution that allowed him to remain in office would, however, be totally unacceptable."
The role of Russia and China was slammed by the deputy, who accused them of "continuing appeasement" of the Assad regime, which he said, "serves to blight their own international standing, and abuses their UN Security Council privilege."
He concluded, "UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi recently said that Russia appears as determined as the US to end this conflict, but we need Moscow to offer action not simply words."
Tannock's intervention came as United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA urged all sides in the Syrian conflict to avoid civillian areas and refugee camps., saying they were concerned by the "devastating impact on Palestine refugees in all areas of Syria, including those living in Damascus, Rif Damascus, Dera’a, Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Homs."
The agency also sais, "concerns are deepening with reports of serious incidents which continue to occur, including in areas under the control of armed opposition elements." new europe on line
Comments