YouSaid · the spoken record

Al Habib

lines on the record: 294
first: 2008-12-18
most recent: 2019-11-04
sittings or episodes: 40
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In that context, we must not lose sight of the devastating effects of unilateral coercive measures, which make no distinction between men and women, violating the basic human rights of both and ultimately undermining the constructive role that women can play in promoting peace and security. As a victim of aggression, foreign military invasion, terrorism and unilateral coercive measures, we attach great importance to the role that women can play in building a secure, stable and prosperous society. In conclusion, women are active partners in the social, economic and political life of our societies and have made great achievements so far. With that in mind, my Government is determined to ensure the empowerment of women and girls in all walks of life.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption2 (2019) · source
“No institution can end the suffering of women in armed conflict if its resolutions and decisions remain unimplemented. Terrorism and violent extremism also have serious adverse effects on women's lives. Genuine efforts are therefore needed to protect women against such menacing issues. Similarly, women are the main victims of sexual violence as a tactic of war and terrorism. In order to end that brutal and atrocious crime, accountability must be seriously and strongly promoted. In all cases, we must not ignore the importance of women's empowerment as an essential factor in conflict prevention and resolution, as well as in our broader efforts to maintain international peace and security.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption2 (2019) · source
“Ensuring the security of women in armed conflict and promoting their role in conflict prevention and resolution are indeed noble objectives. The realization of those goals requires a comprehensive approach as well as realistic and pragmatic solutions. Principally, the most effective way to ensure the security of women in armed conflict is to prevent the occurrence of those conflicts in the first place. That is of essential importance to our region - the Middle East - where women and girls continue to suffer from the vicious cycle of armed conflict. The most severe case is the situation in Palestine, where women bear the brunt of foreign occupation. The Council's inability to protect Palestinian women and girls has resulted in their death, detention, torture and displacement and the systematic violation of their basic rights.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption2 (2019) · source
“Unfortunately, he used the agenda of the Council's open debate on Palestine to accuse my country of intervention. All his claims are a fabrication and are thus rejected. I therefore do not wish to dignify them with an answer. However, I would remind him that the real name of the body of water between Iran and the Arabian peninsula is the Persian Gulf.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“It gravely erodes the credibility ofthe Security Council and the Organization itself, and the world's trust and confidence in them. The other effects of these trends are as devastating as an all- out war, if not worse. In order to preserve international peace and security, no nation must be left unheard, unnoticed, unattended, frustrated and in despair. That can result only in a complete lack of trust and confidence in international instruments and institutions, thus leading our world down a path of international disorder. The Council must be vigilant about the alarming dangerous trend and live up to its responsibilities to prevent the crimes and threats of the Israeli regime. The representative of the League of Arab States made certain allegations against my country.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“Unfortunately, the Council has failed to fulfil its duties with regard to Israel for a reason that is crystal clear - the unwavering, systematic shielding of Israel by the United States. The United States recently moved its embassy to Al-Quds Al-Sharif and recognized Israel's sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan. Both are material breaches of international law. The United States' latest gambit - the so-called deal of the century - is founded on the illusion that it can buy all causes, aspirations, honour, dignity, property and territory as well as the inalienable rights of entire nations. The serious, severe and systematic violation of international law by the Israeli regime continues to have serious adverse ramifications for international instruments and institutions.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“It has also continued to develop every kind ofweapon ofmass destruction and refused to join the relevant treaties. It has brazenly threatened a country of the region with nuclear annihilation. Moreover, Israeli forces continue to brutally kill innocent Palestinians. In 2018 alone, according to the World Health Organization, they killed 299 Palestinian civilians and wounded more than 31,000 others, mostly during the Great March of Return in Gaza. Another of Israel's heartless practices is its illegal and inhumane blockade of Gaza, which has lasted for more than a decade. The long dark list of Israel's brutalities goes on and on, leaving no doubt that by any measure, it is an outlaw regime in the most extreme sense.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“Rather, the Israeli regime has continued to pursue its illegal policies and brutal practices in total impunity, including by systematically committing all four core international crimes. For instance, it has waged more than 15 wars, invaded all of its neighbours without exception and attacked other countries from the Middle East to Africa. Israel still occupies territories belonging to Palestine, Lebanon and Syria and conducts invasions and aggressions against countries of the region, of which the latest example is its periodic violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Syria. It also continues to pursue expansionist policies by building additional settlements. The most recent example of that is its Prime Minister's declared intention to illegally annex the Jordan Valley.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“Mr. A] Habib (Islamic Republic of Iran): I thank the South African presidency of the Security Council for convening today's open debate. We sincerely value South Africa's principled positions and laudable efforts in the Council. I also align myself with the statement to be made by the representative of the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the statement delivered earlier by the representative of Azerbaijan on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. To date, the Security Council has adopted almost 2,500 resolutions, some 365 of which are related partly or entirely to the Palestinian question. Many of them are exclusively focused on the question of Palestine and were adopted pursuant to Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. However, none of them have been implemented.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“Finally, the Israeli representative, in total disregard for the agenda of today's meeting, which is respected by all and focused on the Palestinian question, unsuccessfully tried to distract our attention from the crimes and unlawful policies of its regime. He should have explained why they continue the occupation of Palestine, investing in death and destruction, invading other countries, imposing an inhumane blockade on Gaza, killing innocent children, demolishing homes, schools and hospitals, promoting racism, developing all types of weapons of mass destruction, including hundreds of nuclear weapons, refusing to join treaties banning weapons of mass destruction, in particular the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and rejecting the establishment of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in the Middle East.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“Under the pretext of economic improvement, the main aim and true nature of the so-called deal of the century are to consolidate the occupation. The world must resist that unjust move. The Council must also end the vicious cycle of being bullied by one of its permanent members, which unlawfully and brazenly continues rendering this organ inactive and ineffective, regarding Israel. That hypocritical policy should come to an end and the Council must be able to play its Charter-based role in support of Palestinians. Ultimately, like any other crisis, the question of Palestine cannot be solved without addressing its root causes. There is no magic solution. The unlawful occupation of Palestine is the main source of the crisis and it can end only by ending the occupation.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“Al-Quds Al-Sharif is and will remain the capital of Palestine. History tells us that no nation has compromised on its sacred causes, and the nation of Palestine is no exception. The mere struggle and resistance of Palestinians over the course of the past seven decades clearly indicate how resolute, determined and persistent they are in realizing their noble objectives of liberty and independence. They have suffered economically for seven decades to liberate their lands. What they need is freedom and liberation. Once the occupation ends, they know very well how to improve the economy of their independent State. At the same time, the international community should maintain its strong support to the Palestinians in their struggle to liberate their homeland.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“It is certainly an illusion and will therefore definitely fail completely. The cause of Palestine is based on the struggle of a nation for freedom, liberty, independence, complete control over all its ancestral lands, preserving its religious and cultural identity and sites, and saving its honour and dignity. Diminishing and reducing such noble and holy causes to economic improvement is the most wrong-headed assumption ever for resolving the question of Palestine. Additionally, the so-called deal of the century is based on an unrealistic approach, simply because all Palestinian groups, without exception, have strongly rejected it. Furthermore, Al-Quds Al-Sharif, in addition to the Palestinians, is dear to all Muslims, and no Muslim in the world is ready to accept such a disgraceful plan.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“Such systematic United States support, even when Israel is committing the most heinous and barbaric crimes, has emboldened the Zionist regime to continue, with total impunity, to commit all international crimes systematically. Relying on such support, Israel has also continued its expansionist policies and illegitimate practices in oppressing the Palestinians, in gross violation of their basic rights. One example of such brutality is the decade-long illegal blockade by Israel on Gaza, turning it into the largest open-air prison in the world. That inhumane blockade must come to an end. Moreover, the so-called deal of the century is based on wrong assumptions simply because it is aimed at buying all causes and aspirations, honour and dignity, property and territory, and the inalienable rights of an entire nation.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“It is based on ill intent simply because it has been proposed by the United States, a country that is well known for its biased policies rendering unconditional support for Israel, as well as unjust practices towards the Palestinians. The latest examples include moving the United States Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan, both of which are in flagrant violation of the pre-emptory norms of international law. Basically during the past seven decades, the Security Council has been unable to force the occupying Power to end the occupation because of the unreserved support of the United States for Israel.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for convening this open debate and align myself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of Venezuela on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the statement delivered earlier by the representative of Uganda on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The main development since the previous open debate on this issue (see S/PV.8517) has been the attempts to implement the so-called deal of the century by convening a workshop on Palestine in Bahrain. That initiative is based on ill intent, wrong assumptions and unrealistic approaches, and is therefore definitely doomed to fail.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“That, of course, cannot be done without ensuring that the Council, as a body, and its members are completely accountable vis-a-vis their actions and missions. It means that, under any circumstances, they have to act in full conformity with the Charter and international law, avoiding making any ultra vires decisions and refraining from the politicization of the Council's activities. It also means that Council members should take decisions based not on their own national interests or that of the geopolitical or geographical groups to which they belong but based on the common interests of the entire United Nations membership. In conclusion, due to the importance and urgency of promoting the Council's accountability, I propose that an open debate be convened specifically on that subject.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“States therefore have both the legal and legitimate right and duty to defy the Council's ultra vires decisions. It was based precisely on that fact that we witnessed past cases in which States made individual and collective decisions to defy the Council's measures. Should the Council continue to make decisions that are inconsistent with the United Nations Charter and international law in the future, States would again certainly exercise their rights and carry out their duties to defy them. Therefore, in order to prevent the further erosion of the Council's credibility, which is already suffering from a serious trust and confidence deficit, this body should stop acting arbitrarily and inconsistently with the Charter. That is imperative and urgent.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“The irony is that the United States now brazenly threatens other States to either violate that resolution or face punishment. Unfortunately, such cases are increasing significantly and becoming seriously alarming. In such situations and without being in breach of their Charter obligations, Member States have the right to defy the Council's decisions simply because a decision that is ultra vires does not command a duty of compliance. Furthermore, according to a conditional link between Articles 24 and 25 of the Charter, States have no obligation to comply with a decision that is not in conformity with the Charter. Even beyond that, States have a duty to defy such ultra vires decisions by the Council given that compliance with them would lead to the violation of the rights of other countries, which is prohibited under international law.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“Nevertheless, in practice, while Member States continue to fulfil their respective commitments, the Council has regrettably not acted in accordance with the Charter in many cases. The living example is the Council's exploitation by a certain State to impose sanctions against other countries owing only to that State's animosity against those countries. The Council's sanctions against Iran in the past was a case in point. The most recent example is the United States violation of resolution 2231 (2015), which was drafted by the United States itself, adopted unanimously - including with the United States' affirmative vote - and expressly recalled the obligations of all Member States under Article 25 of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“I thank the Kuwaiti presidency of the Council for having organized this meeting. The most effective way of enabling the Council to dutifully fulfil its responsibilities is indeed its reform. That is why one of the five core subjects of the intergovernmental negotiations is enhancing the Council's working methods, within which accountability is an essential concept. Accountability starts from Articles 24 and 25 of the Charter of the United Nations, according to which the Council - acting on behalf of the Organization's entire membership and being accountable to it - is obliged to act in accordance with the Charter and according to which Member States agreed to carry out its decisions.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“Since African States have indicated their strong resolve to reach that objective, the international community should lend a helping hand to Africa to make it become a reality. In conclusion, a conflict-free Africa would indeed be a place where durable peace, stability and prosperity can flourish. That is what Africa wants, and we should help it materialize.”
2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source
“More important, taking into account that there are also several relevant instruments and initiatives in Africa, African countries must be supported financially, technically and technologically to effectively implement such instruments and realize the goals of those initiatives. In that regard, rendering genuine and sustained support to African States in realizing the objective of such an important initiative as silencing the guns in Africa should be accorded high priority. That would greatly contribute to the ambitious goal established by the African countries, namely, a conflict-free Africa, which will not be easily achievable. However, it does not mean it is impossible.”
2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source
“That has a wide range of humanitarian and socioeconomic consequences and poses a serious threat to peace, security, stability and sustainable development in various parts of Africa. In that context, African countries need help in fully and effectively implementing the relevant international instruments, the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons. That is important when taking into account the statistics that show that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is one of the biggest obstacles to Africa's security and development.”
2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source
“However, when it comes to assisting African countries in conflict prevention and the promotion of peace and security, one basic principle should be observed, which is that African problems require African solutions. In other words, in order to promote peace and security on the African continent and in African countries, Africa's leading role in resolving its own security issues has to be fully respected. From that perspective, one of the most important tasks is assisting African States in addressing the main sources of the occurrence, exacerbation and prolongation of conflicts in Africa. One such source is certainly the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of arms, particularly small arms and light weapons, along with their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled proliferation.”
2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source
“And the fact that more than half of the top 20 countries that contribute troops to United Nations peacekeeping operations are African shows that African countries are playing a decisive role in promoting international peace and security, something that United Nations and the Council should acknowledge and greatly appreciate. At the same time, in order to ensure that African countries and organizations can continue those contributions, they should be helped to preserve and promote their capacities for maintaining peace and security in Africa and other parts of the world. That is crucial, as some African troop-contributing countries and African Union peace operations are constrained in terms of financial resources and equipment, which limits their ability to respond to peace and security challenges.”
2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for organizing this meeting. My thanks also go to Ms. DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Mr. Lamamra, African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns in Africa, and Mr. Gounden, Founder and Executive Director of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, for their valuable briefings. We welcome this open debate, focused mainly on silencing the guns in Africa. The fact that the five largest peacekeeping missions of the United Nations are deployed in Africa proves the importance that the United Nations attaches to preserving and promoting peace and security in Africa.”
2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source
“While the Council has not even been able to fully address certain serious conflicts, its insistence on delving into issues that are not proved to threaten international peace and security is incomprehensible. We share the related concerns of small island developing States and underline the fact that their climate-related problems can be solved only through capacity-building as well as financial and technical assistance, which is beyond the competence and power of the Council. With that in mind, we urge the Council to stick to its core mandate only and to avoid making promises of solutions that it cannot ultimately fulfil.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“If those are the goals that we need to achieve, they should be pursued in the relevant forums, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and other such bodies, not here in the Security Council, which has neither the legal competence nor the technical capacity to address this issue. In the related meetings of the Council since 2007, there has been no consensus either among the Council members or the general membership of the United Nations stating that this issue falls within the Council's purview. Rather, it was considered by many countries as an example of the Council's encroachment upon the powers and functions of other United Nations organs.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“That means the sharing of best practices, exchange of experiences and the unconditional and non-discriminatory transfer of financial resources, as well as climate-friendly know-how and technologies. That will enable such countries not only to contribute to addressing climate change but also to being prepared so as to save more lives in the event of a disaster. Moreover, it will contribute to achieving sustainable development in those societies by removing the barriers resulting from climate change. That is the case in our region with respect to sand and dust storms, which challenge socioeconomic development in our societies. Needless to say, capacity-building efforts should be complemented by promoting regional and international cooperation.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“We should also vigorously strive to address climate change, thereby contributing to fewer climate-related disasters. That, of course, must be done based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities of States, as well as the availability of related technologies. Likewise, we should promote related multilateral instruments and institutions. In that regard, any attempt to undermine the relevant international instruments, including by withdrawing from them, must be strongly opposed. We also underline that developing countries, in particular those that are more vulnerable to such disasters, must be empowered through capacity- building.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. The frequency, scope, speed and severity of climate-related disasters are a source of deep concern. Such disasters occur almost everywhere, in both developed and developing countries. However, their impact on the lives of people is extremely different. According to one of the most recent publications of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, over the past 20 years, people in the poorest nations were over seven times more likely to die and over six times more likely to be injured than the equivalent populations in the richest nations as a result of such disasters. That alone proves that our efforts must be aimed at reducing the number of deaths and injuries in disaster-affected areas.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“Recalling Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, we stress that all countries in the region have an inherent right to defend themselves against any armed attack by Israel. No one can deny or suspend that right. They will decide how and when to exercise it. The only option now is to put an end to such impunity by holding Israel accountable for its crimes against the Palestinians. That can ensure the application of international law and deter its future violation. That is why we believe that the world should continue to support the realization of Palestinian rights and reject any further occupation, aggression, oppression or intimidation. We will continue to do so.”
2019-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8449 (2019) · source
“Have we heard anything from the United States except biased statements in support of Israel? Have those breaches been condemned by certain Western members of the Council? Israel has been emboldened to the extent that very recently, it stated that it had developed offensive missiles that could reach anywhere in the area and any target, thereby implicitly threatening all countries in the region. Likewise, some time ago, Israel threatened Iran with nuclear annihilation. That is, of course, a wishful dream. The gross and systematic violation of the territory and sovereignty of countries in the region by Israel must stop. That country must be held accountable for all such breaches.”
2019-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8449 (2019) · source
“The answer is simple: by shielding Israel, the United States has rendered the Council completely ineffective with respect to Israel. Consequently, Israel has been emboldened by impunity. Instead of facing punishment, it has been rewarded to continuously and brazenly commit all international crimes. That is why, during its short lifespan, Israel has waged more than 15 wars, occupied the territories of Arab countries, invaded all its neighbours without exception, attacked other countries in the region and beyond, from the Middle East to Africa, and possessed every kind of weapon of mass destruction. The list goes on. In recent years, Israel has repeatedly attacked countries in the region and brazenly assumed responsibility. What action has the Council taken against such material breaches of the Charter of the United Nations?”
2019-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8449 (2019) · source
“Racism is in the very nature of the Israeli regime. First, it constructed a racial segregation wall, then it enacted a racial discrimination law, and it has now constructed an apartheid highway. That is extremely shameful. It must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. We should also strongly reject and condemn the recognition of Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the Israeli capital as well as the continued occupation ofparts of Lebanon and the Syrian Golan by Israel. Such acts are material breaches of international law and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. Last but not least, let us revisit the main question: why has the systematic violation of the inherent rights of Palestinians continued unabated over the past 70 years?”
2019-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8449 (2019) · source
“Also in 2018, more Palestinian homes were demolished and more illegal Israeli settlements built in blatant violation of international law. And there are more new plans to demolish more Palestinian homes, confiscate more Palestinian lands and build more illegal Israeli settlements, which will mean the forced displacement of even more Palestinian families. Last year, Israel also intensified its decade-long illegal inhumane blockade of Gaza, whose continuation will drastically worsen the already grave humanitarian situation. In 2018, by enacting a law designed to ensure Jewish supremacy over its other citizens, Israel legalized racism. Very recently, it inaugurated an apartheid highway that features a large concrete wall, one side of which is open only to Israeli vehicles and the other only to Palestinian vehicles. That is not surprising.”
2019-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8449 (2019) · source
“Mr. President, I thank you for convening today's meeting and congratulate the Security Council's new members. I welcome the Foreign Minister of Indonesia's participation in this important meeting. I align myself with the statements made on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the Organization ofIslamic Cooperation. We welcome Palestine's assumption of the chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China and call for its full membership in the United Nations. Palestine's situation deteriorated last year. Israel killed at least 295 Palestinian civilians and injured more than 29,000. Many of the dead and about 7,000 of the injured were under 18 years old. That is a clear example of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
2019-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8449 (2019) · source
“In addition, given the ongoing positive direction with regard to ensuring security and in view of the increasing tendency towards the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, the international community should further support the reconstruction of the country, as well as the speedy return of refugees and internally displaced persons. To that end, all sanctions must also be lifted. In conclusion, I wish to stress that the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to play a constructive role in bringing about peace and prosperity in Syria.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“However, ultimately, the right to determine the future of Syria belongs exclusively to the Syrians themselves. At this critical juncture of the Syrian crisis, we should all accept that there is no choice other than to cooperate in facilitating an inclusive Syrian political process. Therefore, all States that have influence on the armed opposition groups are expected to encourage those groups to end the fighting in order to join the political process. That is absolutely crucial for any progress to be gained in the political domain. Likewise, parallel to the efforts in the political field, fighting the terrorists should continue unabated. That should of course be done by in line with international law and with close attention to the protection of civilians.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“Finally, reaffirming their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, they emphasized that those principles should be respected by all sides. That means that all foreign forces whose presence is not permitted by the Syrian Government should leave the country. While significant progress has been made so far on the establishment of the constitutional committee, we need to continue our efforts with the utmost care, perseverance, prudence and patience. With that in mind, our guiding principle must be to ensure that the committee is an effective, pragmatic and inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned vehicle in order to move forward. To achieve that, the committee needs strong international support.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“The ministers reaffirmed their determination to facilitate the constitutional committee beginning its work, inter alia, by drawing up its general guiding principles through interaction with the Syrian parties and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. The rules ofprocedure that will ensure the committee's efficient and sustainable work will be determined on the basis of those principles. Moreover, they agreed that the work of the constitutional committee should be governed by a sense of compromise and constructive engagement, aimed at reaching general agreement among its members. That should enable the outcome to receive the widest possible support of the Syrian people. The Ministers also agreed to make efforts to convene the first meeting of the constitutional committee in Geneva in early 2019.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“This year, the Astana guarantor States have made every effort to prepare the ground for the formation of the constitutional committee. In that regard, we would like to highlight the progress made to date, which should be considered a joint success of the international community and the Syrians, as it is towards a political solution to end the crisis. The latest round of our endeavours was the ministerial meeting of the Astana guarantor States in Geneva on 18 December, where the guarantors also held consultations with Mr. De Mistura. During the meeting, the positive results of the consultations with the Syrian parties on the composition of the constitutional committee were presented.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“From the beginning of the Syrian crisis until now, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always had a principled position: there is no solution to the conflict other than a political settlement. Based on that principled approach, we cooperated with Russia and Turkey in initiating the Astana process. To date, we have made considerable progress and will resolutely continue the path towards a political settlement. After years of conflict, with all its security, socioeconomic and humanitarian ramifications, there is now an emerging consensus in support of the political process. Nevertheless, the international community should facilitate in that regard rather than dictate the process. In that context, we attach great importance to the establishment of the constitutional committee as a decisive element of that process.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“I would like to express my Government's heartfelt thanks to Mr. De Mistura, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, and his team for all their efforts during his tenure. There has always been close cooperation between my Government and Mr. De Mistura as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and for Iraq and Special Envoy for Syria. He has visited our country many times. I hope that next time he can visit as a vacation to have enough time to see the various beautiful Iranian cities. I would also like to welcome the appointment of Mr. Pedersen as the new Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria and express our readiness to cooperate with him in discharging his mandate.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“We support the efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and underline the need for a strong partnership between the United Nations agencies and the country. I would like to conclude by reaffirming the resolve of the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue their support to the fraternal people and the Government of Afghanistan in their search for peace and prosperity. The meeting rose at 2 pm.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“Since terrorism and drug trafficking have always been mutually reinforcing in Afghanistan, a two-pronged strategy to simultaneously fight drug trafficking and terrorism should be adopted. That is essential given the rise in terrorist activities, as well as the fact that, according to the Afghanistan Opium Survey 2018 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, opium poppy cultivation is still at the second- highest level since 1994. At the same time, in order to fight the drug threat effectively, the international community should continue to support Afghanistan's economic development. In that regard, we will continue our assistance to promote Afghanistan's socioeconomic development. Currently, certain efforts are under way to ensure that such measures are carried out in a systematic and sustained manner.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“We therefore continue to urge that all foreign forces, regardless of their mandate and structure, be withdrawn from Afghanistan in a time-bound and responsible way. Instead of deploying foreign forces, every effort should be made to support and strengthen Afghanistan's military and security forces. That is one of the main requirements for the long-term stability of Afghanistan and should therefore be pursued as a high priority. It is particularly essential to combat terrorist groups, such as Daesh, whose introduction into Afghanistan has led to increased bloodshed and dangerous sectarian tendencies. That alarming and horrific trend needs to be stopped before it reaches catastrophic proportions.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“The complementary Kabul, Tashkent and Moscow formats attest to that momentum, which must be seized. The international community should facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue and inclusive and comprehensive talks. Genuine strong international support and domestic and regional inclusion are the key to success. Furthermore, in order to lead to a durable solution, such efforts need to take into account the underlying causes of instability and insecurity in the country over the past four decades. One such cause of instability is the presence of foreign forces, which has traditionally provided a recruiting ground for extremists. That is why we have never believed that such forces have contributed to Afghanistan's peace and stability.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“In the political field, the holding of the parliamentary election was a successful development despite the security threats. It strengthened and will continue to further consolidate the foundations of democracy in the country. We congratulate Afghanistan on that achievement, which must be complemented by the presidential election in April 2019. Iran stands ready to extend all possible assistance for the successful holding of that election. We also welcome the renewed efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Currently, there is a strong national, regional and global consensus that there is no military solution in that country. Therefore, the time is ripe for an inclusive political solution, which should be owned and led by the Afghan Government and people.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source