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Aqaba Conference Discusses Syria's Future with Wide International and Regional Attendance
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Arab Ministerial Committee Position Reflects Collective Desire to Prevent Syria's Slide into Chaos While Emphasizing Necessity of All Syrian Society Components' Participation
Arab Ministerial Committee on Syria's final statement Saturday supported Syrian people and respecting their will and choices representing all Syrian political and social forces, including women, youth, and civil society equitably, under UN and Arab League supervision.
Statement emphasized supporting comprehensive Syrian-Syrian peaceful political transition process.
Statement highlighted necessity supporting UN envoy to Syria efforts, requesting UN Secretary-General provide necessary capabilities and commence establishing UN mission supporting Syria's transition phase.
Statement noted "this critical phase requires comprehensive national dialogue and Syrian people's solidarity with all components, spectrums, and political and social forces to build free, safe, stable, united Syria that Syrian people deserve after long years of suffering and sacrifices."
Participants reviewed necessity for immediate military operations cessation, calling for respecting Syrian people's rights in all components, without ethnic, sectarian, or religious discrimination, ensuring justice and equality for all citizens.
Statement urged "preserving Syrian state institutions and enhancing their ability to serve Syrian people, protecting Syria from sliding into chaos, immediately enabling police force protecting citizens, properties, and Syrian state capabilities."
Called for "commitment to strengthening counter-terrorism efforts and cooperation fighting it as threat to Syria, regional and world security, making its defeat universal priority."
Participants confirmed absolute solidarity with Syria preserving unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, condemning Israel's buffer zone breach and neighboring sites in Mount Hermon, Quneitra, Rural Damascus, considering it occupation violating international law and 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Statement demanded "Israeli forces withdrawal," confirming "Golan Heights as occupied Syrian Arab land requiring occupation end," calling Security Council take necessary measures stopping these violations.
Contact Committee work launched in Jordan's Aqaba with UAE, Bahrain, Qatar foreign ministers' participation, hosting Arab officials meeting with Turkish and US foreign ministers, plus EU foreign policy chief and UN Syria envoy.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed Syrian developments represent opportunity implementing UN resolutions, forming inclusive government, implementing Resolution 2254. UN envoy Geir Pedersen emphasized Syria's critical phase support importance during Blinken meeting, warning of state institutions collapse.
Levant-Agencies
