Ban, Brahimi may have 'some strategy' next week to solve Syria crisis

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday disclosed that he and the Joint Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, who has been in a "listening mood" so far, may have a strategy to resolve the Syria crisis when they both meet here on Saturday. "He is in the process of listening to the views of all the countries concerned and he will be here on Saturday and he will have an opportunity to report to the Security Council (on Monday). Then he and I may have some strategy to be conveyed to the Syrian authorities for resolution of this issue, " Ban told a press conference ahead of the General Assembly's general debate which will be attended next week by some 130 Heads of State and Government. "What is important at this time," he added, "is that the continuing violence must stop by all sides and whoever and whichever country which has an influence on them to urge them to stop this violence, and whoever may be providing arms should stop so that they can begin a political dialogue." He noted that "it is very troubling that the situation in Syria is still continuing without any immediate end of this crisis. It really affects me very deeply. Unfortunately, both government and opposition forces seem to be determined to see the end of it by military means." "I think military means will not bring an answer," he stressed. "It should be resolved through political dialogue, reflecting the genuine aspirations and will of the Syrian people. This is exactly what Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi conveyed seriously to both parties and many other key partners in the region." On the anti-Islam film that prompted millions of Muslims around the globe to attack US embassies in a number of capitals, Ban said this is not the first time that "such outrage and anger" expressed by people who were provoked by a certain group. He said "it is very disgraceful and shameful that people are still provoking the values and beliefs of other people. Many world leaders have issued strong statements strongly condemning such kind of a very senseless, disgraceful act. This must stop. "It is very important that all the people around the world should have due respect and deep understanding of the values and beliefs and traditions and history of other people and groups of community. This is the basis foundation of our civilized society. I again urge calm, reason and tolerance and forgiveness," he said. He noted that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right and privilege, it "should not be abused by such disgraceful and shameful acts." On recent reports that Palestine intends to upgrade its status at the UN to a non-member observer state, Ban advised against it. "I believe all this process should come out as a result of a negotiated settlement of this Middle East Peace process, particularly the two-state formula where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security," he said. President Mahmoud Abbas, diplomats said, will now seek a status similar to that of the Vatican's at the General Assembly, but not a non-member observer state as he said he would. The Vatican is listed at the UN as a "non-member state having received a standing invitation to participate as observer" in the Assembly sessions. Palestine is however listed as an "entity" having received a standing invitation to participate as observer in those sessions. Ban said leaders in the region and the key parties - Palestinians and Israelis - "should have a longer vision for a lasting peace." "This has not happened. That's why we see so many problems. Conflicts are taking place in the region. I believe this Middle East Peace process should be addressed in a comprehensive way. At the same time, the Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation should play a very important role now that there is no progress, " he said.