UN Chief Ban Ki-moon today urged leaders at the Group of 20 (G20) summit in St. Petersburg to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria and avoid military intervention.
Mr. Ban said in his remarks at the Humanitarian Initiative on Syria, held on the margins of the G20 summit, that a military attack on Syria would be a tragedy:
“I must warn that ill-considered military action could cause serious and tragic consequences, and with an increased threat of further sectarian violence. “We should explore ways to avoid further militarization of the conflict and revitalize the search for a political settlement instead.”
The UN Secretary-General also called the world leaders to increase support for humanitarian operations in Syria and in its neighbouring countries, which are hosting more than 2 million refugees who flee their homes.
“This is a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions in recent history. The world must do everything within its powers to stop the suffering of the Syrian people,” he said.
Mr. Ban also said the UN would stay in Syria and keep providing assistance to the population no matter who controls the country and how difficult the conditions for work are.
