GCC urges nations to double efforts on Syria

The Gulf Cooperation Council called on nations gathered at a donors' conference held in Kuwait to increase their financial aid for Syrian humanitarian efforts. "This tragic reality requires us all to double our efforts in standing by these victimized people in their plight, and to offer them all forms of assistance," said Secretary General Abdullatif Al-Zayani. "The international community has been inadequate in fulfilling its responsibilities, and in taking the steps required for putting a stop to the genocide they are facing," he added. "As the conflict enters its third year, the (Syrian) regime insists on continuing, with the support of its outside allies, to carry out the systematic killing of Syrian people, destroying their cities and property, by using all forms of weapons available, including those internationally prohibited," he said. The international community has also not done enough to "oblige the (Syrian) regime to comply to international treaties and agreements it is bound to, that ensure the arrival of humanitarian aid to millions of the displaced and refugees," he added. He also called on the UN Security Council to "bear its responsibility in ensuring the safe passage of this relief to people inside Syria." He hailed Kuwait's hosting of the current second conference, and its "generous" contribution in the former event it also hosted. Al-Zayani also thanked donor nations to the cause, and neighbouring nations of Syria, whom are hosting the conflict-ridden country's refugees. Foreign Minister Borge Brende announced Norway's pledge of USD 75 million in humanitarian relief for Syria, as part of the UN-administered Regional Response Plan. The crisis is the worst he had witnessed since World War II, whereby over two million people have been forced out of their country - something he stressed was "unacceptable". Over nine million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, while tens of thousands are forced to leave their homes on a daily basis, he added. He called on the gathering nations to commit to the cause through their pledges, adding that neighbouring nations carrying the burden of hosting the refugees deserve huge support.