UN passes resolution on Syria

17 Feb 2012, 12:15 pm   -   Source: AFP
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The UN General Assembly has voted 137 to 12 to approve a resolution calling for an immediate halt to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's violent crackdown on dissent.

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French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has welcomed a UN General Assembly resolution on Syria, saying it offered "unequivocal support" for those enduring the regime's crackdown on dissent.

In a statement following the Assembly's vote calling for an immediate halt to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's violent crackdown, Juppe expressed the hope that work will now begin so that "the resolution is fully applied."

The UN General Assembly voted 137 to 12 to approve the resolution, with China, Russia and Iran among the nations that opposed the text, which condemned "widespread and systematic violations of human rights" in Syria.

"This is a new step towards ending the martyrdom of the Syrian people," Juppe said in his statement.

It offers "massive and unequivocal support for the Syrian people," he said.

Seventeen UN member states abstained from voting on the resolution, which came just days after Russia and China joined forces to use their veto power to derail a similar text in the UN Security Council.

Egyptian ambassador Maged Abdelaziz said there had been an "unacceptable escalation" of violence in Syria. "We demand that the Syrian government heed the demands of the Arab and Syrian people and staunch the bloodshed," he added.

'UNWARRANTED INTERVENTION'

But Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar Jaafari, declared just before the vote that the resolution amounted to unwarranted intervention in his country's internal affairs.

"Some of the co-sponsors would like to settle accounts with Syria," he told the General Assembly, alleging that the resolution was motivated by the wider and long-running Middle East conflict.

To adopt the resolution, 10 days before a referendum on a new constitution for "a modern democratic Syrian state," he said, "will only lead to a tightening of the crisis and more tension in the region."

The United Nations, Jaafari added, was in danger of being used by "some member states" as a way to provide cover for "armed terrorist groups."

Russia's representative said his nation voted against the resolution as it did not incorporate amendments that it had proposed. His Chinese colleague said the resolution amounted to undue interference in the affairs of a sovereign state.

Syrian Crackdown , Syria Assad , Bashar Al-Assad

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Your Comments

if Americans tried over throwing their government?

unobvious - from there, 1 year

In America, UK, Greece etc protesters will have their day in court, and the leaders will have their day at elections. While in Syria, China, Russia, etc protesters (and innocents) are simply killed, and leaders answer to no one. I think Democracy and Capitalism are both highly overrated but I'm less of a fan of the modern alternatives. You should feel free to emigrate though.

UN stay out of Syria

UN stay out of Syria - from Aus, 1 year

If you get rid of Bashar Al Assad, the Christian minority is doomed! If the Muslim brotherhood gets their hands on Syria, which is what will happen if the UN forces the current government to step down, what is happening now will seem like child's play. They will either slaughter, imprison or send the Christians into exile. The comical part is, the US knows this and is quite happy for it to happen. It will then give them the opportunity to invade Syria for their own benefit, under the guise of humanitarian works to protect the minorities from the 'Muslim extremists'. Stay out of it UN. You will only make matters worse.

What about all the other countries that need help?

Thommy - from East Malvern, 1 year

The UN does whatever America tells them too, otherwise they would have invaded Israel to help the Palistinians a long time ago.And what about invading China to helpTibet?

What if Americans tried over throwing their government?

Obvious - from Here, 1 year

The UN's against a crack down on dissent! Well they best get over to Greece and help the protesters.

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