General Assembly condemns violence in Syria
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Abdallah Yahya A. Al-Mouallimi
The increasing use by Syrian authorities of heavy weapons including tanks and helicopters in population centres has been condemned by the General Assembly.
By a vote of 133 in favour, 12 against and 31 abstentions, on Friday, the Assembly also strongly condemned what it says are widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights in Syria.
The Assembly denounced all violence in the Middle Eastern country, including terrorist acts, irrespective of where it comes from.
Ambassador Abdallah Yahya A. Al-Mouallimi of Saudi Arabia, who introduced the General Assembly resolution, said it sends a clear message to the Security Council.
"The message has been delivered to the Security Council by the world community at large that the paralysis of the Security Council is unacceptable, the continued bloodshed in Syria is unacceptable and that therefore, the Security Council must move with unity. We think that this resolution as well as the statements that were given by Mr. Kofi Annan will give impetus of the efforts at the Security Council."
Kofi Annan, the United Nations-Arab League envoy for Syria cited what he called a "clear lack of unity" in the Security Council as one of the reasons for his decision to resign.
Duration: 22″
