Foreign Secretary welcomes UN authorisation of monitoring mission in Syria
Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the resolution increases the pressure on the Syrian regime to begin a transition to a democratic, plural political system.
Speaking earlier, the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said:
“I welcome the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous authorisation of the full mission to monitor an end to violence in Syria and its clear call for the complete implementation of Joint UN/Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s six-point plan.
This resolution increases the pressure on the Syrian regime to begin a transition to a democratic, plural political system. I welcome the fact that the Council reaffirmed its full support for this goal.
However, I remain extremely concerned that the Syrian regime is still failing to meet its commitments, and that there has been further violence and the use of heavy weapons since 12 April when a ceasefire should have come into effect. The Syrian regime must stop immediately troop movements towards population centres; end the use of heavy weapons in civilian areas; and withdraw the military to their barracks. The Syrian regime must ensure that the UN monitoring mission can operate freely and safely, and this must include agreement on the use of air assets.
If the Syrian regime fails to take these steps and to comply with Kofi Annan’s plan in full, we will push for further action, including in the UN Security Council.”