Syria’s President Ahmad Al Shara called for international pressure on Israel to withdraw its troops from southern Syria during an Arab League summit. He condemned Israeli military actions as threats to regional security and asserted Syria’s commitment to its rights. The UN envoy echoed these concerns, stressing the need for adherence to international agreements and respect for Syrian sovereignty.
During an emergency Arab League summit held in Cairo, Syria’s President Ahmad Al Shara urged the global community to press Israel for an immediate withdrawal of its troops from southern Syria. He emphasized the need for international support to uphold Syria’s rights, stating: “We urge the international community to uphold its legal and moral commitments by supporting Syria’s rights and pressuring Israel to immediately withdraw from southern Syria.”
This summit marked Mr. Al Shara’s first participation since the overthrow of former president Bashar Al Assad by rebel forces led by his group, Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, in December. Following the rebels’ rise to power, Israel deployed troops to southern Syria and conducted repeated airstrikes against alleged weapons storage sites of the previous regime. Mr. Al Shara described the Israeli presence as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and an imminent threat to regional peace, asserting that “hostile [Israeli] expansion is not only a violation of Syrian sovereignty, but also a direct threat to security and peace in the entire region.”
Furthermore, addressing the conditions in Gaza, where a temporary ceasefire had ended a long-standing Israeli military campaign against Hamas, Mr. Al Shara lamented that attempts to alter territorial boundaries at the cost of Palestinian lives were unacceptable. He declared: “The uprooting of the Palestinian people from their land is unacceptable and it is time for us, as Arabs, to stand together against these schemes.” He asserted Syria’s integral role within the Arab League, describing its return as a milestone for Arab unity.
In response to the situation, UN envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen also condemned Israel’s actions, expressing deep concern regarding violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. He stated that the continued Israeli military actions and attacks heighten tensions and threaten regional stability, urging Israel to adhere to its international obligations and respect Syria’s sovereignty. He noted, “Such actions are unacceptable and risk further destabilising an already fragile situation, heightening regional tensions, and undermining efforts toward de-escalation and a sustainable political transition.”
In summary, President Ahmad Al Shara’s call for Israeli withdrawal from southern Syria underscores the ongoing tensions and the critical need for international support regarding Syrian sovereignty. His remarks at the Arab League summit reflect broader concerns about regional stability, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli military actions and the plight of the Palestinian people. The involvement of the UN envoy further highlights the international community’s role in resolving these pressing issues, emphasizing the need for cooperation towards a peaceful resolution.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
