UN Calls For Syrian-Led Political Process To End Its Crisis

UNITED NATIONS (NNN-KUNA) -- The UN has called for a Syrian-led political process to end the eight-month crisis in Syria resulting from a bloody crackdown on protesters seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad.

During its monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East Monday, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry told the Security Council that "all violence should stop for a Syria-led process of comprehensive political change to take place that will address the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people regardless of their political, religious or ethnic background."

He conceded that the situation in Syria is a source of "deep and growing concern" for the United Nations, as violent repression by government forces has escalated and there are "worrying signs" of an armed confrontation taking place in several areas of the country.

Another source of concern, he added, is the Syrian-Lebanese border where the Syrian army planted landmines on the Syrian side, in areas most commonly used as illegal crossing points into Lebanon.

He indicated that the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has now exceeded 3,500.

On the situation in Palestine, Serry said Israel's withholding of some USD 100 million a month in VAT and customs revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority would "cripple any government, let alone an authority under occupation."

If not immediately unblocked, he said, the Israeli action threatens the state-building gains made by the Palestinian Authority, including the increased good governance felt by the Palestinian population.

Moreover, he indicated, the weekly attacks by settlers against the Palestinians have increased by 165 per cent compared to 2009.

He warned that without a "credible political path forward, accompanied by more far-reaching steps on the ground, the viability of the Palestinian Authority and its state-building agenda -- and, I fear, of the two-state solution itself -- cannot be taken for granted," as the gap of trust between the Palestinians and the Israelis remains wide, a gap "that will not be easy to overcome."

Speaking to reporters in his national capacity, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Portas, who presided over the Council meeting, said the "overall feeling is not one of optimism. We have to de-escalate tension on the ground and reinforce conditions for direct talks with a clear schedule between Israel and Palestine."

He said it is encouraging that the Palestinians have presented proposals on borders and security, and called on Israel to show the "same seriousness of intent" by presenting its views on borders and to refrain from illegal action, calling on both parties to resume direct talks.

Portugal, he said, "vehemently condemns" Israeli settlements activity and its decision to illegally withhold tax revenues.

He called for Palestinian unity under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Even if there is no consensus among all Council members on several issues in this process, I believe there is a very strong support in this Council for a serious negotiation process with a view to a final sustainable and mutually agreed solution with Palestine and Israel living side by side in peace and security," he said.

"We all know that the two-state solution is the only one. It requires the union of moderates of both sides. Let's work on that beginning by de-escalating the prevailing tension," he added. -- NNN-KUNA