Ban Ki-moon says Syria arms suppliers spreading misery

4 September 2012

(Reuters) – Syria’s conflict has taken a brutal turn with other countries arming both sides, spreading misery and risking “unintended consequences as the fighting intensifies and spreads,” U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon told the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.

The United Nations and Western officials have accused Iran of supplying weapons to Syria’s pro-government forces, while Damascus has accused Qatar and Saudi Arabia of arming rebels determined to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

“This conflict has taken a particularly brutal turn,” Ban said of the 17-month crisis. “The continuing militarization of the conflict is deeply tragic and highly dangerous.”

“Those who provide arms to either side are only contributing to further misery – and the risk of unintended consequences as the fighting intensifies and spreads,” he said.

A U.N. Security Council panel of independent experts that monitors sanctions against Iran has uncovered several examples of Iran transferring arms to Syria’s government. The United States and Britain say they are providing non-lethal assistance to Syria’s rebels such as communications equipment but not arms.

“The conflict is intensifying,” Ban said. “The longer it goes on, the more difficult it will be to contain. The more difficult it will be to find a political solution. The more challenging it will be to rebuild the country and the economy.”

“How many children will attend the funerals of their parents; how many parents will weep at the funerals of their children, before all parties agree to end the violence and destruction?” Ban said.

“The Syrian people have waited too long,” he said. “And now the entire region is being engulfed by the complex dynamics of the conflict.”

Commenting on the story, Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, said:

“I absolutely agree with and welcome UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s statement that those who provide arms to either side are only contributing to further misery – and the risk of unintended consequences as the fighting intensifies and spreads.

“The longer the conflict continues, the more difficult it will be to contain and to find a political solution. There is no military solution to this conflict. A diplomatic solution based on the conditions set out in the Kofi Annan Plan is the only way forward.

“If an all out civil war leading in Syria and the region is to be avoided then all parties- the regime, the opposition and their outside backers must act in good faith and support diplomacy to bring about a peaceful end to the crisis. This is the only way to start a political process leading to a peaceful inclusive democratic transition to a national unity government and democracy and freedom.

“I call on all the Syrian opposition to unite onto one platform and work together for a peaceful solution as a continuation of the violence could lead to the fragmentation of Syria and its society, where everyone will lose out.”