BAGHDAD - Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmad Ben Helli said that international and regional efforts are focusing on ending violence and resolving the crisis in Syria, and that these efforts are based on the Arab iniaitive issued by the League.
In a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari at the conclusion of a meeting of Arab foreign ministers, Ben Helli said that UN and Arab League Special Envoy on Syria Kofi Anan is constantly in touch with the League's Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi, voicing support for Anan's efforts.
In turn, Zebari said that the meeting discussed the crisis in Syria and agreed on a draft resolution to be discussed at the Arab Summit, and that it's based on previous decisions, Anan's initiative, and the agreement of the Syrian government to this initiative.
He said that the Syrian government's agreement to Anan's efforts is a positive step in the right direction, noting that the Syrian crisis has become an international issue and that Iraq had called for this issue to be dealt with by the Arabs.
Zebari hoped that the efforts will prove successful and that Syria will emerge from its current crisis through true, radical reforms, enabling the Syrian people to achieve their aspirations and decide their own future and destiny under a Syrian leadership.
He also said that Iraq's stance regarding the Syrian crisis is unchanging, independent and balanced, and that it was based on Iraq's national interests as well as the interests of Syria, its people and Arab countries, stressing that Iraq is not among those who go along with dictations.
He said that the Syrian government's agreement to Anan's efforts is a positive step in the right direction, noting that the Syrian crisis has become an international issue and that Iraq had called for this issue to be dealt with by the Arabs.
Zebari said that Syrian-Iraqi relations are normal, with diplomatic representation, trade relations, and communication, which proved useful in terms of helping Syria,
He also stressed that the Syrian people are the ones who should choose their leaders, not the Arab League or anyone else, noting that the League didn't demand that President Bashar al-Assad to step down, not did Iraq or any president or Anan.
Mansour: Syria Will Return to Arab League and Reclaim Its Role
Earlier, Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour voiced confidence that Syria will return to the Arab League and reclaim its role in supporting the Arab nation and Arab joint action.
"We had hoped to see Syria, one of the most prominent founding members of the League, among us today," Mansour said during the preliminary meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Baghdad.
He also noted that holding the Arab Summit in Baghdad is a considerable achievement that proves that Iraq is recovering and reclaiming its natural position in the forefront of the efforts to achieve a future full of freedom, justice and dignity for Arabs.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2012
