Saudi calls for implementing UN Syria resolution

By Ahmed al-Masri

DOHA (AA) – Saudi Arabia on Tuesday renewed calls for implementing a recent UN Security Council resolution for a 30-day cease-fire in conflict-ridden Syria.

In a cabinet meeting chaired by king Salman bin Abdulaziz, Riyadh condemned ongoing bombardments of the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta.

“We condemn ongoing human rights violations in Eastern Ghouta, which is reeling under siege by the Syrian regime and allied militias,” acting minister of culture and information Sulaiman Al-Hamdan said in a statement cited by the official SPA news agency.

He called on all parties to “immediately abide by UN resolution 2401 for allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid and medical evacuation of patients and wounded”.

Eastern Ghouta has been under siege for the last five years, and humanitarian access to the area, which is home to some 400,000 people, has been completely cut off.

In the past eight months, Bashar al-Assad regime forces have intensified their siege on the region, making it nearly impossible for food or medicine to get into the district and leaving thousands of patients in need of treatment.

Hundreds have been killed by regime airstrikes in recent days.

Last month, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for a 30-day cease-fire in Syria without delay.