An explanation to Syria's abstention from voting UN resolution 1500

The Syrian Arab news Agency SANA said the following: Syria's abstention from voting in favor of the UN Security Council resolution 1500 came in the framework of Syria's commitment to the Arab position adopted by the foreign ministers members of the Arab Follow up Committee which met in Cairo on Aug 5th, 2003.

The statement which was read at the UN Security Council yesterday by Syria's representative at the UN Mikhael Wahba stressed that Syria stands by the necessity for ending the occupation of Iraq and for enabling the Iraqi people to form a legitimate national government according to a time table as soon as possible.

The statement pointed out the foreign ministers members in the Arab Follow up Committee considered the formation of an interim governing council as a start that gains credibility from being a move that pave the way for the formation of a national government that represent all the spectrums of the Iraqi people.

The statement also called the United Nations to have a pivotal role in rebuilding of Iraq and in the political process in Iraq.