Brahimi calls on Security Council to address Syria crisis now
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Lakhdar Brahimi
The situation in Syria "needs action" to advance a solution to the on-going conflict, Lakhdar Brahimi told the UN Security Council on Tuesday evening.
The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and Arab League for Syria said the country was being destroyed "bit by bit" pushing the region into a situation that is "extremely bad."
He called on the Council to take action on the Geneva communiqué, which lays out key steps in a process to end the violence in Syria.
Among the items the communiqué calls for is the establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and made up of members of the present Government and the opposition as well as other groups.
Mr. Brahimi said the communiqué contains elements that could lead to a reasonable solution.
“It needs action from the Council and I have suggested a few ideas to them. The Council has got to reaffirm the attachment and support for Syria's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, also for the rights of every citizen in Syria to their human rights and dignity, irrelevant of gender, religion or any other element.”
According to Mr. Brahimi, Council members also gave suggestions for breaking the impasse and finding a political solution.
More than 60,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in early 2011.
Gerry Adams, United Nations
Duration: 1’42″
