Norway condemns violence in Syria

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “Norway strongly condemns the increasing use of violence in Syria, where thousands have been killed. We deeply deplore the Syrian authorities’ gross human rights violations against the country’s own population.”

The situation in Syria has deteriorated further in the last few days. Civilians have been hard hit by the authorities’ brutal attempts to crack down on the now ten-month long uprising.

“Norway supports the Arab League’s peace plan for Syria, and hopes that the Security Council will rapidly endorse the plan,” said Mr Støre.

The peace plan, which the Arab League adopted on 22 January, is an important step towards a political solution to the conflict. The plan entails a transition process with the establishment of a national unity government, gradual transfer of power from the President to the Vice President, and finally open, free elections. The Secretary General of the Arab League is presenting the plan to the UN Security Council today.