UN Security Council condemns violence in Syria

In its first substantive action on Syrias five-month-old uprising, the UN Security Council on Wednesday condemned human rights violations and use of force against civilians by Syrian authorities.The statement, read out to a council meeting by Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, this months president of the body, condemns widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities.The document, agreed after three days of hard bargaining instead of a full council resolution that the West would have preferred, also urges Damascus to fully respect human rights and comply with its obligations under international law.The council called for an immediate end to all violence and urges all sides to act with utmost restraint, and to refrain from reprisals, including attacks against state institutions.That phrase was a gesture to Russia and other countries that had called for a balanced statement that would apportion to both sides blame for the violence in the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.In a rare but not unprecedented move, Syrias neighbor Lebanon, where Damascus influence is strong, disassociated itself from the formal statement agreed by the other 14 members of the council.Statements are meant to be unanimous, meaning Lebanon could have blocked it, but by simply disassociating itself Beirut allowed the statement to pass.While we expect our deep regret for the loss of innocent victims and we offer our condolences to their families, we hope for Syria, the people and the country, we hope that reform will lead to progress and prosperity. But since Lebanon considers that the statement being discussed in our meeting today does not help in addressing the current situation in Syria.Therefore, Lebanon dissociates itself from this presidential statement, said Caroline Ziade, Deputy Permanent Representative of Lebanese Mission to the UN. After the statement, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon applauded the councils action.I welcome the Presidential Statement adopted by the Security Council today as the clear message of the international community. The world has watched the deteriorating situation in Syria with the most profound concern, but the events of the past few days have been brutally shocking. Once again, I call on President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian authorities to immediately cease all violence against their people, to fully respect human rights, and implement reforms they have already announced, Ban said.He added, As I have repeatedly said, the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people must be addressed through an inclusive Syrian-led political process that guarantees fundamental freedoms and rights for all.The only future action provided for is a request to Ban to report back to the council within seven days on the situation in Syria. It does not specify what follow-up there might be to his report.