Syria conflict threatens region: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said that the situation in Syria is not only a tragedy for the people but threatens the security of the region.

“We are deeply concerned about the future of West Asia, a region with which India shares deep bonds of history, and one that is critical for our energy security as well as the livelihoods of nearly seven million Indians who work and live in the region,” he said during the course of his speech at the annual debate of the UN General Assembly.

“The increasingly lethal conflict in Syria is not only a tragedy for the people of Syria, but also threatens stability and security in the region and beyond,” Manmohan Singh said.

According to him, the situation has been made worse by the use of chemical weapons.

“The use of chemical weapons, whosoever may have deployed them, must be condemned in the strongest terms. India supports strongly the elimination of chemical weapons material and equipment in Syria,” the prime minister said, adding that there is no military solution to this and efforts must be intensified to seek a political solution.

Regarding the issue of Israel and Palestine, Manmohan Singh that it was encouraging that the two sides were engaging in dialogue again.

“India supports an early realisation of a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognised borders side-by-side and at peace with Israel. We also remain committed to the Palestinian quest for full membership of the UN,” he said.

IANS