Arab group at the UN voices solidarity with Syria against Turkish threats

The Arab Group at the UN has asserted its categorical opposition to the Turkish threats against Syria. It voiced full solidarity with Syria against these threats.

In a statement issued on Friday following a meeting to discuss the Turkish threats, the Arab Group called for self-control and negotiations, stressing the importance of a peaceful settlement for the tensions arising between the two countries.

The statement expressed support for the efforts made by President Hosni Mubarak aiming at containing the crisis. The statement explained the desire of the Arab group to ensure Arab-Turkish historical relations.

An Arab source said that the ambassadors of Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Syria, as well as the Arab League observer at the UN, will meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the beginning of this week to discuss the Turkish threats against Syria.

Meanwhile, Turkish political and parliamentary figures have criticized the escalation campaign carried out by the Turkish leadership against Syria and indicated the failure of the Turkish claims to justify the campaign against Syria.

In this respect, chairman of the parliamentary bloc of the Turkish al-Fadila opposition party, Lutfi Asen Goun, called upon Turkish officials not to realize the interests of Israel and the US through their current crisis with Syria. The Turkish daily al-Sabah said that Goun called upon Turkey to put its own interest beyond any other consideration.