Iceland Supports Stronger International Response to the Syrian Crisis

The Government of Iceland fully supports efforts to strengthen the international response to the Syrian crisis. A draft resolution to this effect has been proposed by the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Portugal and Germany and is currently under consideration by members of the United Nations Security Council.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson, reiterates his condemnation of the Syrian authorities and armed militias linked to the Syrian Government for their repeated attacks on civilians. The atrocities committed by the Syrian regime are in violation with international humanitarian law and previous UN Security Council resolutions. All violence in Syria must end, whoever is responsible.

Iceland calls upon all members of the UN Security Council to unite behind the draft resolution put forward by the five states, threatening sanctions if the Syrian Government does not within ten days cease the use of heavy weapons and withdraw from population centres.

Iceland supports Kofi Annan´s continued efforts to seek peaceful resolution to the conflict and the outcome of the June 30 meeting of the Action Group for Syria.