09/28/2013, 00.00
SYRIA -UN
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Unanimous approval for UN resolution on chemical weapons in Syria. Peace conference for mid-November

Assad must hand over all weapons and give green light to inspectors. No threat of automatic military action . Ban Ki -moon : historical resolution . Holy See seeks peace conference.

New York City (AsiaNews ) - The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on the elimination and handover of Syria's chemical arsenal. The document, on which there was a prior agreement between Russia and the U.S., was voted by all 15 members . It is the first time in two and a half years that the Security Council has been united in a decision regarding Syria. For a long time the United States, Britain and France on the one hand, Russia and China on the other have used their vetoes to block any resolution condemning Assad or the armed opposition .

The resolution calls for Syria deliver its chemical arsenal and allow inspectors into the country, but does not contain - as required by Russia - an automatic threat to use force in case of violations.

The text does not charge the Syrian government or the rebels of using chemical weapons in the attack on Ghouta of 21 August , which precipitated events that led to the threat of a U.S. military attack , which would have resulted in an escalation of the war at regional level.

Many - including the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry - applaud what appears to be a victory for diplomacy over war and weapons .

The Security Council has also approved a roadmap for political transition of the Syrian situation , with a mid-November meeting for a peace conference .

The UN secretary general Ban Ko -moon hailed the resolution as a "historical" event and announcing the peace conference said that "all violence must end. All weapons must be silent".

Among the supporters of a peace conference, at which all regional and international stakeholders involved in the Syrian conflict will meet, is the Holy See. On 6th September , Msgr. Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States, meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See stated a number of preconditions for peace: to ensure the unity of the country, respect for minorities (including Christians ), full citizenship to all Syrians , whatever their religion, guaranteed freedom of religion, the opposition's distancing itself from Islamic extremism.

 

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