Eurasia Press & News
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal called Wednesday on Arab and African nations to pressure the U.N. Security Council to act on Syria, urging them to help save “what remains” of the country.
“A meeting of this level must address the Syrian crisis and the tragic and painful circumstances afflicting its people,” Prince Saud told a gathering of top officials and diplomats from Africa and the Arab world.
“The international community has not responded appropriately to these circumstances in a way that helps the afflicted people achieve their hopes and aims of a free and dignified life.”
Prince Saud said the Security Council should unite under the “catastrophic” circumstances to fulfill its duty to maintain international peace and security – a description that, if adopted, usually entails economic sanctions and possible military intervention.
“[The council] should carry out its responsibilities and hurry to issue a firm and strong position that prevents the shedding of Syrian blood and protects for them what remains of their nation,” he said.
Prince Saud’s call was the latest in a Saudi diplomatic campaign pushing for action on Syria. In October, his country unexpectedly declined a U.N. Security Council seat in a move partially meant to show its disapproval of the body’s failure to act on Syria, where resolutions on the crisis have been vetoed by Russia and China.
