Iran Calls for Withdrawal of Illegal Foreign Forces from Syria

Takht Ravanchi made the remarks at a UN Security Council meeting in New York on Friday on the situation in the middle east and with a focus on Syria.

The Syrian crisis must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the principles of international law, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries and non-interference in their internal or external affairs,” the Iranian ambassador said.

Takht Ravanchi pointed to the unstable situation in Syria due to the Israeli aggression against Syria and the illegal presence of some foreign forces, separatist and terrorist groups in parts of the country and warned of the impact of the consequences of this situation on regional stability and international peace and security.

Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations stressed the need to continue the work of the constitutional committee, and expressed hope that the sixth meeting of the committee would be held soon.

Regarding the process of reconstruction in Syria, he said, “Any relating the reconstruction of Syria or the return of refugees to the progress of work in the constitutional committee or similar issues will only prolong the suffering of the Syrian people.”

In relevant remarks earlier this week, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Zahra Ershadi called for lifting the unilateral sanctions against Syria which as she said have hindered humanitarian assistance to the war-hit country.

Ershadi made the remarks on Wednesday, addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on “The situation in the Middle East (Syria – Humanitarian).

The envoy said that Iran, which has been subject to cruel bans for decades, condemns food and medicine sanctions.

She further noted that the restrictive measures on the import of food and medicines to Syria are “irresponsible, immoral and illegal” as they are prolonging the suffering of the Syrian people, she said,

“These inhumane sanctions have delayed the return of refugees and hindered efforts to rebuild Syria,” she added. “Therefore, the complete lifting of unilateral sanctions should be one of the main subjects of any discussion regarding the humanitarian aspects of the Syria crisis.”

“For well over 10 years, the Syrian people have been suffering seriously from the conflict, and in recent years, the economy has been further deteriorated mostly due to unilateral sanctions, negatively impacting also the humanitarian aid delivery to the people in need.

As a country subjected to unjust unilateral sanctions for decades, we condemn weaponizing food and medicine through sanctions, as they are irresponsible, immoral and unlawful and in the context of Syria, only prolong the sufferings of people, delay the return of refugees and displaced persons and hamper reconstruction efforts.”

“Therefore, complete removal of unilateral sanctions must be a substantive element of any discussion on the humanitarian aspect of the Syrian conflict,” she said.

“While under the current circumstances, the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Syria is essential, this however must be based on the principles of full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Syria, which has been reaffirmed by the Council in all its resolutions,” Ershadi said.

“We also recall other guiding principles of humanitarian assistance as reaffirmed in numerous resolutions of the General Assembly, according to which the “humanitarian assistance should be provided with the consent of the affected country and in principle on the basis of an appeal by the affected country.”

“Likewise, according to such principles, “the affected State has the primary role in the initiation, organization, coordination, and implementation of humanitarian assistance within its territory,” the envoy said.

“Taking into account such guiding principles, we share the views that the cross-border aid delivery mechanism has been an exceptional temporary measure imposed by certain circumstances, which no longer exist, and accordingly, now the aid to the people in need must be delivered in cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government and from within the Syrian territories. This can, inter alia, ensure that aids are not diverted to terrorist groups,” Ershadi said.

She noted that the full cooperation of the Syrian Government with the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations active in cross-line aid delivery in Syria proves that this is a reliable method and in line with international law, adding, “We once again call for depoliticization of the humanitarian file of Syria in the Council. The international community must focus on those humanitarian measures in Syria that can actually and quickly alleviate the sufferings of the people in need, provide the conditions for the soonest return of refugees and displaced persons and contribute to the long-term stability of this country.”

“Reiterating our commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis and the restoration of the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, we call for an end to the occupation of parts of its territory, withdrawal of all uninvited foreign forces from that country, cessation of support for any separatist tendencies or illegitimate self-rule initiatives, and prevention of the violation of Syrian sovereignty particularly by acts of aggression of the Israeli regime, which Iran condemns strongly.”

“We will continue our efforts in assisting the people and Government of Syria to overcome the enormous challenges they face,” Ershadi concluded.

Syria found itself in the grips of sweeping foreign-backed militancy in 2011 that later gave way to the presence of Takfiri terrorist outfits, such as the ISIL.

The violence turned the biggest part of Syria into scenes of bloodbath and havoc. A massive US-led invasion and regular Israeli attacks on Syria’s defenses was, meanwhile, significantly interrupting with Damascus’ efforts to restore its territorial integrity.