UN chief: Kuwait emir is a humanitarian leader

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described His Highness the Amir as a "humanitarian leader" and Kuwait as a "global humanitarian centre" after the country hosted a second consecutive international donors conference for Syrian relief efforts. "The Amir (His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah) has been playing a very important role. He is a humanitarian leader of the world. Kuwait has become a global humanitarian centre, and we are deeply grateful," he told Kuwait TV and KUNA in an interview. "I am very grateful to the people of Kuwait, civil organisations for mobilising a considerable amount of funds for the Syrian people," he said. Ban went to commend Kuwaits hosting of a Syria donors meeting for the second time in a row, brought about upon the request of the United Nations. "Its been almost three years since the Syrian crisis began and almost half of the total population has been affected with millions displaced as a result, " he said. "Children, women and the elderly are most affected by this tragic crisis, we must help them," he added. He also noted the need to provide assistance to nations neighbouring Syria, who are receiving incoming refugees on a daily basis. "We need to support those regional countries who have been impacted by this crisis." On a political solution to the conflict, he said that the upcoming Geneva II talks will work on implementing the Geneva I communique of 2012. "We have to establish (in Syria) a transitional governing body with full legitimate power and through mutual consent," he said. "It has been too long and too many people have suffered from this man-made tragedy. Therefore, I am urging the leaders of both parties - the Syrian government regime and opposition groups - to come out with a determined to resolve this. "The international community, led by the United Nations, will spare no efforts in facilitating this process," he said. On whether he believed diplomatic means would solve the conflict, he said that any UNs efforts should bring security and safety to the people of Syria. "The hopes and dreams of these people have been completely shattered," he said. "Our commitment is to provide them with a better world, better prosperity, a better dream. Until then, we will spare no effort," he concluded.