Syria’s Representative to the United Nations, Bashar al-Jaafari, stressed that the main goal of the latest allegations on the use of chlorine gas by Syrian Arab Army is to disturb the arrangements of presidential elections.
Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Bashar al-Jaafari, stressed that the main goal of the latest allegations on the use of chlorine gas by Syrian Arab Army is to disturb the successful arrangements of presidential elections in Syria.
In a press conference Wednesday following a briefing session of Special Coordinator of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) joint mission Sigrid Kaag, Jaafari said the US has violated its commitment of facilitating reaching a political settlement to crisis in Syria through supporting groups linked to al-Qaeda and transferring weapons to them.
"The Syrian government categorically rejects use of chemical weapons and recent allegations on using chlorine gas by the Syrian Arab Army or any affiliated unit" Jaafari said.
He added that Syria enjoys a full membership of UN and OPCW and it works hard to respect all commitments signed between Syrian government and OPCW.
"The main aim of these allegations is to disturb the successful arrangements of the presidential elections in Syria…and those who come up with such allegations will not spare any efforts to break down the election process" The Permanent Representative added.
On reports regarding US transferred anti-armors as it is now considering supplying armed terrorist groups with anti-aircrafts weapons, Jaafari said it is an unfortunate decision particularly that US is one of the two countries which proposed Geneva talks.
"Washington should adhere to its commitments towards Russia, UN, Lakhdar Brahimi and the Syrian government…it should also facilitate reaching a political settlement in the country through a national dialogue among Syrians" Jaafari added.
On Geneva conference, Jaafari indicated that "When we (the Syrian authorities) left Geneva after the second round of talks, we agreed with Lakhdar Brahimi that he would come back to us with a new date for proceeding the talks and we are still waiting for him to come and bring us the latest developments after his consultations".
He added that Lakhdar Brahimi is the mediator but he has crossed lines and committed many mistakes, yet we still ready to cooperate with him for proceeding negotiations.
Jaafari stressed that Geneva talks revolve around establishing an inter-Syrian dialogue led by the Syrians themselves with no foreign interference, adding that these talks have nothing to do with elections.
He clarified that Nigeria UN Representative, who is presiding UN Security Council rotating presidency, pointed out the tangible advance regarding transferring chemical materials outside Syria where 90 % were taken away, pointing out that Syria is very close to fulfilling the operation of eliminating its stockpile of chemical weapons.
