Saudi Arabia called on the UN Security Council to exercise today, more than ever, its legal role and assume moral responsibilities regarding the Syrian crisis. Addressing the UN General Assembly Friday, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UN Ambassador Abdullah Bin Yahya Al-Mua'lemi said that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states hold the international community in general, the Security Council in particular, and those powers which have exercised their veto rights, morally accountable for what is happening now in the homes and streets of Baba Amr. They will be held accountable by history if they do not respond positively to the pleas of the oppressed Syrian people, he said. The Kingdom also urged the Security Council to initiate an urgent call to stop violence, opt for all means to halt the Syrian killing machines, and save civilians trapped in Homs, Hama, and other Syrian cities. The Saudi call also highlighted the need for the urgent delivery of medical and humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians and provision of all the required support to the mission of the International and Arab Envoy Kofi Annan, in order to work toward a political solution that guarantees the right to a decent life, prosperity and security for the Syrian people. In his address, Ambassador Al-Mua'lemi said that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states welcome the appointment of Kofi Annan as Joint Special Envoy of secretaries-general of the United Nations and the Arab League, and believe that his selection due to his global reputation as well as his efficiency and integrity reflect the interest of the international community to devote all possible energy to finding a solution to the Syrian crisis and bringing about the end of the sufferings of the Syrian people according to the Arab League initiative and the decision of the UN General Assembly. The Syrian regime thinks that it has received the green light to crush unarmed citizens and their revolution since the UN Security Council failed to come up with a resolution because of the veto by some members, said Ambassador Al-Mua'lemi. He stressed that the GCC states are ready to be at the forefront of any joint effort aimed at saving the Syrian people and strengthening their ability to protect themselves from an authority which has lost its legitimacy.
