Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle: spiral of violence in Syria must be stopped

“The brutal conflict between the Assad regime and the Opposition is now also being fought out in Damascus, the Syrian capital. The escalating violence has already cost thousands of lives.

The responsibility for this escalation lies with the Assad regime. It has never fulfilled the promises it made to end the violence and launch a political dialogue as well as a credible and serious transition process. It has responded to peaceful protests with brute force which has claimed many civilian lives.

We must do everything possible to stop the spiral of violence. The only way this can be done is for the international community to take a clear and united stand.

Kofi Annan’s peace plan is the best basis there is for a political transition process. It needs greater backing if it is to acquire greater credibility on all sides. Any breaches of the plan’s terms must be penalized, also by sanctions imposed by the international community. I appeal to all members of the Security Council to support a resolution that would lay the necessary basis for such an approach.”