Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi

NEW YORK: The State of Kuwait has re-affirmed that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis that has resulted in some 13 million refugees and displaced people. Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi, the State of Kuwait's envoy, addressing a session of the UN General Assembly on the state in Syria, said that the aspired settlement for the crisis must involve all segments of the Syrian people.

Such a settlement must attain legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, safeguard Syria's territorial unity, sovereignty and independence according to the UNSC Resolution 2254 and the 2012 Geneva Declaration. "We believe that the political process must proceed in tandem with confidence building measures namely real and tangible progress in the file of the detainees and missing ones," Ambassador Otaibi added.

Regarding the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, the State of Kuwait has pursued a humanitarian approach, hosting donors' conferences in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and taking part in subsequent conventions of identical level. Ambassador Otaibi has stressed on necessity of securing delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need in a secure and sustainable fashion and without any obstacle.

The envoy condemned attacks that target civilians, as well as assaults waged by terrorist groups against populated areas. He stressed that to attain sustainable and comprehensive peace in Syria, there must be justice, accountability and prosecution of the criminals.

Otaibi renewed support for the UN efforts for advancing the political process in Syria, urged all Syrian parties to cooperate for working out conciliation and appealed to the UNSC member states to put aside differences to tackle the file in a joint manner. - KUNA