SYRIA
STATEMENT BY MR NICOLAS DE RIVIÈRE
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED NATIONS
TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL
New York, September 20, 2024
Madam President,
I would like to thank Mr. Pedersen and Rajasingham for their statements. I would like to talk about three points.
At a time of acute crisis in the Middle East, the need to untertake a credible political process that meets the aspirations of the Syrians remains the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace. Yet Damascus is making no significant gesture to enable the UN-led mediation to move forward on the basis of resolution 2254.
We are ready to lift sanctions and consider funding reconstruction, provided tangible progress is made in the political process.
For now, we reiterate our confidence in Mr. Pedersen to implement all aspects of resolution 2254.
The situation of more than 6 million Syrian refugees in the countries hosting them is the focus of all our attention. We welcome the efforts made by the host countries. We are well aware of the burden that the presence of millions of refugees places on their domestic situations. That’s why we are mobilized to continue supporting them.
The obstacles to return are economic, security and political. Surveys conducted by the UNHCR show this. It is up to the Syrian regime to provide the guarantees needed to lift these obstacles.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate throughout Syria. In the north-east, we are concerned by food insecurity and the lack of access to drinking water. We call on all States to mobilize to respond to the emergency.
France calls for all stakeholders in Syria to ensure strict compliance with international humanitarian law. We reiterate the importance of cross-border humanitarian aid supplies, which enables us to bring aid to 2.4 million people. We call on the Syrian regime to grant permanent authorizations to the Bab El Salam, Al Rai and Bab El Hawa border crossing points, without time limits.
Thank you.
Dernière modification : 20/09/2024
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