2 June 2011, Male';The Maldives is deeply concerned by ongoing violence in Syria, including the continued suppression of those who wish to exercise their right to peaceful protest. The Maldives, a fellow Muslim State and friend of Syria, is particularly distressed by the reported death of a 13 year old boy, Hamza Ali al-Khateeb.
The Maldives urges the Government of Syria to immediately halt all acts of violence against protesters. It also calls on the opposition movement to ensure that protests are peaceful.
"The only solution to the current political crisis in Syria is a negotiated one" noted the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem. "Suppressing dissent is not sustainable as grievances go unresolved and animosity grows. It is therefore imperative that the Syrian Government launch a genuine and transparent process of political reform, and that it does so in dialogue with the opposition".
ENDS