Syria: As US responds militarily to chemical attack, UN urges restraint to avoid...

News ID : #1373
Publish Date : 04/08/2017 14:21
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today urged restraint to avoid any escalation of the situation in Syria, after the United States responded militarily to an alleged chemical weapons attack earlier this week.

“I continue to follow the situation in Syria closely and with grave concern,” said Mr. Guterres in a statement.

According to the US, the launch of 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles into the Shayrat Airbase was a response to what it states was the Syrian Government's use of chemical weapons from the base. The alleged 4 April chemical weapons attack killed many civilians in the Khan Shaykhun area of Idlib.

Decrying the 'abhorrent' chemical weapons attack, the UN chief stressed the need for accountability for such crimes in line with existing international norms and Security Council resolutions.

In the wake of the reported US airstrikes, Mr. Guterres said: “Mindful of the risk of escalation, I appeal for restraint to avoid any acts that could deepen the suffering of the Syrian people.”

“These events underscore my belief that there is no other way to solve the conflict than through a political solution,” he said, calling on the parties to urgently renew their commitment to making progress in the Geneva [intra-Syrian talks].

 Meanwhile, the Security Council convened an urgent session to hear an update on the situation in Syria.

 

 

 

This is a summary of the news, for more details go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56524#.WOiwn2ddLIU

 

“ Syria: As US responds militarily to chemical attack, UN urges restraint to avoid escalation ”