NEW YORK June 03. 2023 (Saba) - Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Bassam Sabbagh, considered that the preservation of the rights of Palestine refugees was non-negotiable. Stressing his country's firm and supportive position of the Palestinian people in their struggle to restore their occupied territories and all their legitimate rights, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The Syrian news agency SANA quoted Sabbagh in a statement to the UNRWA donations conference last night, saying: "For Syria, the question of Palestine remains the central national issue, and it has spared no effort to stand with the brotherly Palestinian people in their struggle to restore all their occupied territories and legitimate rights, in particular their right to establish an independent state on their territory with Occupied Al-Quds as its capital."
He added, "As well as granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations, and Palestinian refugees obtaining their right to return to their homeland, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost of which is Resolution No. 194 of 1948."
During the past decades, Syria had provided the Palestinian people who had taken refuge with all the requirements of a decent life. and did not differentiate between them and Syrian citizens, even during the difficult economic conditions they were experiencing during the past decade as a result of the terrorist war and coercive actions imposed on them by some States and the Government spared no effort to assist them, including in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Syria on February 6, 2023.
The responsibility to protect UNRWA's mandate by the United Nations General Assembly was high and collective, and to preserve their rights was non-negotiable.
The Palestine refugees viewed UNRWA as a pillar of the international community's commitment to a dignified life and a just and lasting solution to their plight, despite the increasing frequency and hostility of coordinated campaigns against UNRWA aimed at undermining those rights.
Sabbagh concluded by saying that this Conference of Pledges comes at an important moment, especially in terms of increasing UNRWA Member States' support, including ways and means to overcome the Agency's chronic financial crisis, and an opportunity to advocate at the highest level to focus attention on its contribution to human development and the protection of Palestine refugees.
E.M
resource : Saba