UN Security Council Passes Resolution 2209

Press Statement

Salem Al Meslet

Syrian Coalition Spokesperson

March 07, 2015

We welcome the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of resolution 2209 condemning the use of chlorine gas in Syria. However, more is needed to prevent further attacks against civilians as reports of regime use of chlorine gas continue to pour in from places like Aleppo and Daraa.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fact-Finding Mission concluded in January this year that chlorine gas has been used systematically as a weapon of war in Syria. Another conclusion by the FFM was that chlorine had been delivered by helicopters, which could only lead to yet another conclusion: it was the Assad regime that used the poisonous gas in Syria.

The UN Security Council acknowledged today that chlorine has been used in Syria, which is a blatant breach of resolution 2118. It is disappointing however that no further measures under chapter seven of the UN charter are being considered; especially in light of the fact that Resolution 2118 has clearly stated that in the event of non-compliance the Security Council decides “to impose measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.”

Hinting at the possibility of taking action in the future with another vote to be inevitably vetoed by Russia is not enough and will definitely not stop Assad from using noxious gas against innocent civilians in Syria.