3 August 2012, New York; The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution today expressing concern at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Syria. The Resolution was tabled by Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives co-sponsored and voted in favour of it.
The Resolution was designed to bring into context a number of issues of concern to the international community. These include the use of heavy weapons by Syrian security forces against civilian populations, the widespread and systematic violation of human rights, and concerns over the security of Syria's biological and chemical weapons stockpiles.
The Government of Maldives is deeply concerned by the failure of the Syrian authorities to protect its own civilian population, and strongly condemns all violence, irrespective of where it comes from, including acts of terrorism. It calls on all parties to abide by, and implement immediately Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012) to achieve a cessation of the armed conflict.
The Government of Maldives regrets the resignation of the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Mr Kofi Annan on 2 August 2012, but fully respects his decision to do so. It further calls on the United Nations Security Council, and all stakeholders concerned to explore all available options to reach a political settlement to resolve the current stalemate.
The Maldives has consistently backed international efforts to halt the ongoing violence in Syria and has called on the Syrian Government and the Syrian opposition groups to back the Six-Point Peace Plan formulated by Mr Kofi Annan with a view of achieving an immediate ceasefire.
ENDS