UN envoy urges Syria truce for Eid holiday

16 Oct 2012, 6:23 am   -   Source: AAP
Share This
0 
+ Comment
0
The envoy was in Shi'ite-majority Iraq on Monday after holding talks in Shi'ite-ruled Iran, closest ally of the minority Alawite-dominated Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad. (AAP)

The envoy was in Shi'ite-majority Iraq on Monday after holding talks in Shi'ite-ruled Iran, closest ally of the minority Alawite-dominated Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad. (AAP)

UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has called for a ceasefire in Syria during the upcoming four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

RELATED

UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has called for a ceasefire in Syria during the upcoming four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, as the revolt enters its 20th month with a death toll of more than 33,000.

Brahimi made his call as he shuttled between Syria's neighbours, which have been bitterly divided by the conflict along the confessional lines that have traditionally riven the Islamic world.

The envoy was in Shi'ite-majority Iraq on Monday after holding talks in Shi'ite-ruled Iran, closest ally of the minority Alawite-dominated Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Iraq has striven to remain neutral in the conflict.

Late last week, Brahimi visited Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the two Sunni-led states which have been the biggest champions of the Syrian opposition.

Turkey said on Sunday that it had banned Syrian civilian aircraft from its airspace, mirroring a similar move by Damascus, as tensions between the neighbours soared over Ankara's confiscation of a cargo of radar equipment from a civilian flight from Moscow last week.

"Brahimi has appealed to the Iranian authorities to assist in achieving a ceasefire in Syria during the forthcoming Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest holidays celebrated by the Muslims around the world," a statement from the envoy said.

"He reiterated the call by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for a ceasefire and a halt to the flow of arms to both sides. A ceasefire, he said, would help create an environment that would allow a political process to develop."

The UN envoy is mulling seeking authorisation for a peacekeeping force if a political deal can be struck, Syrian National Council official Ahmed Ramadan said as the exiled opposition bloc met in Doha.

The Eid al-Adha holiday later this month marks the climax of the annual Muslim pilgrimage which is an obligation for the faithful who can afford it once in a lifetime.

The mounting spat between Damascus and Ankara threatened to mar arrangements for the pilgrimage.

The ban on Turkish flights entering Syrian airspace, through which pilgrims would normally travel to the holy places in Saudi Arabia, had an immediate impact on Turks wanting to take part in the hajj.

Even last Wednesday, when Turkish jets intercepted the Syrian cargo sparking the latest escalation, a first aircraft headed for Saudi Arabia from the Turkish city of Bursa made an emergency landing in southeastern Turkey rather than risk flying on through Syrian airspace.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.