OIC Delegation participates in Ministerial meeting of the International Syria Support Group in Vienna

An OIC delegation represented the Secretary General Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani in the meeting of the International Syria SupportGroup (ISSG), held on 17 May 2016 in Vienna, Austria and conveyed his message.

In his message, the OIC Secretary General reiterated his concerns over the bloody situation in Syria and his commitment to join the international community’s efforts to resolve the Syrian Crisis.

He pointed out the responsibility of the two sides for the atrocity and the human suffering that Syria is in today. He underlined however that all punitive actions, including military and air bombardment have been directed to one side only. He stressed on the dire need to exercise similar measures on the Syrian regime and therefore urged the international community and ISSG members to put pressure on Assad’s regime to concretely enter into real discussion on the political transition in view to reaching a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict.

The ISSG’s meeting was convened by the Co- chairs US and Russia to reaffirm the strong determination of the ISSG to maintain the cessation of hostilities alive, to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches all people in Syria and that the peaceful political process is on the right track.

The Members of the ISSG recalled the need for a full cessation of hostilities and the compliance of all parties to the agreement reached upon, without any exception. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of a cessation’s nationwide implementation and called on influencing parties to intensify their effort to solidify the cessation of hostilities agreement.

The ISSG members reiterated the urgent need to allow unhindered access to humanitarian assistance to all Syrians and in all locations. They reaffirmed their readiness to ensure that concrete steps are taken to urgently deliver humanitarian aid to Arbeen Darraya, Douma, East Hasta, Mouadhimiyeh, Zabadinand Zamalka and to pursue delivery to other besieged and hard-to-reach areas, as well as through the country.

The Members of the ISSG reaffirmed their conviction that cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access to all Syrians in need is an important leverage for ensuring productive and inclusive political intra Syrian talks.

The political process is the only option to the resolution of the conflict in Syria and remains the only credible process to end the suffering of Syrians, they added.