Statement by
H.E. Mr. Majid Takht Ravanchi
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Before the United Nations Security Council
On “The situation in the Middle East: (Syria – Political)”
New York, 26 January 2022
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Madam President,
In 2021, Syria witnessed a relatively calm military situation and a gradual return of refugees and displaced persons. At the same time, Syria’s regional standings and its bilateral relations with some countries have improved. Likewise, the convening of the fifth and sixth meetings of the Constitutional Committee raised the hope for the convergence of views among the parties.
Despite such significant and encouraging developments, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria continues to be seriously violated either through the occupation of parts of this country or by the aggressions of the Israeli regime and the terrorists. As such, the sufferings of the Syrian people continue as a result of occupation and aggression as well as the imposition of unlawful and inhumane sanctions.
While the Syrian crisis has no military solution, it cannot also come to an end without ending its occupation, restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and confronting the threat of terrorism.
To that end, all occupying and uninvited foreign forces must leave that country without any precondition or further delay.
Additionally, the Council must strongly condemn holding of the recent provocative meeting of the Israeli cabinet in the occupied Syrian Golan, and its statement to build two new settlements there, and compel the Israeli regime to end the occupation of the Syrian Golan.
As has recently been stated by the Non-Aligned Movement, any actions aimed at changing the legal and demographic status of the occupied Syrian Golan are null and void and have no legal effect.
Moreover, the guarantors of the Astana format, in a joint statement following their meeting last December, “Condemned continuing Israeli military attacks in Syria, which violate the international law, international humanitarian law, the sovereignty of Syria and neighboring countries, endanger the stability and security in the region and called for cessation of them”. They also considered the abuses, by the Israeli regime, of “civil aircraft as a cover in its aggressions on Syrian territory”, a “stark violation of international regulations”, endangering the lives of civilians.
On political track, as has been conveyed to Mr. Pedersen during his recent visit to Tehran, Iran supports his ongoing efforts aimed at holding the Constitutional Committee’s next meeting soon.
We emphasize again that the Committee must work in full accordance with its Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure and without any external interference or pressure or setting any artificial deadline for its work or any other conditions of similar nature. Ultimately, it must be a truly Syrian-led and Syrian-owned effort, and the UN’s role must be exclusively to facilitate that process.
Iran will also continue its serious contribution to the efforts related to the release of detainees, and in this regard, urges all parties to cooperate for the realization of this noble humanitarian endeavor.
The unanimous adoption of resolution 2585 last year was an important development. The resolution must be implemented fully, effectively and in a balanced manner, particularly with respect to the early recovery projects and the removal of unilateral sanctions.
We once again reject separatist activities or illegitimate self-rule initiatives in Syria and condemn any effort to support these illegal measures.
The Syrian crisis must be settled peacefully and in accordance with principles of international law, particularly the full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.
The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to support the people and Government of Syria in their efforts to restore the unity and territorial integrity of their country.
I thank you, Madam President.