Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has called for an urgent and inclusive political transition in Syria, warning the UN Security Council that the situation on the ground remains “particularly critical,” especially in the southern province of Sweida, where recent violence has compounded the country’s dire humanitarian crisis.
Speaking during a Security Council session, Gerapetritis expressed deep concern over escalating hostilities in Sweida and condemned what he described as appalling reports of civilian abuse, mutilations, and incitement to interfaith violence, as documented by UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen.
The Greek Foreign Minister strongly denounced attacks on civilians and places of worship, including the bombing of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in Damascus and an assault on the Catholic Church of St. Michael in Sweida. He underscored that such incidents highlight the growing threats facing Christian communities in Syria and emphasised the urgent need to safeguard all religious and ethnic groups.
Gerapetritis urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and ensure unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations. He also called on transitional authorities in Syria to demonstrate genuine commitment to accountability and justice for war crimes and other violations.
Referring to a recently announced ceasefire in Sweida, Gerapetritis stressed the need for a transparent and swift investigation into alleged abuses, in line with international legal standards. “All Syrians must be able to feel safe in their own country,” he said.
Reaffirming Greece’s longstanding support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Gerapetritis highlighted the importance of respecting the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and the work of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the region. He emphasized that security and peaceful coexistence among all communities are foundational to Syria’s future.
“As Syria stands at a crossroads,” Gerapetritis concluded, “it is imperative that the international community supports a credible, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition — one that is structured, coherent, and inclusive — in full alignment with Security Council Resolution 2254.”
His remarks come at a time when the international community is being urged to renew its commitment to peacebuilding efforts in Syria, more than a decade into a devastating conflict that continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians.
Source: pagenews.gr