Joint Statement by Secretaries-General of United Nations, League of Arab States

The following joint statement was issued on 19 October by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Nabil ElAraby:

The Secretaries-General of the United Nations and of the League of Arab States appeal to all warring parties in Syria to heed the call of the Joint Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, for a ceasefire and a cessation of all violence in all its forms during the period of Eid al-Adha, to allow the Syrian people to observe this important religious holiday in peace and security.  They call on all regional and international actors to support this appeal.

This step needs to be sustained.  It could create the space to allow a peaceful political process that realizes the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for democracy, equality and justice.

The longer the violence lasts, the more difficult it will be to find a political solution and rebuild Syria.  The Secretaries-General appeal to all, in particular the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic as the stronger party, to show wisdom and vision and stop the killing and destruction so that all the issues, however complex, can be addressed through peaceful means.

The Secretaries-General call on all Syrian, regional and international parties to take the necessary measures to ensure the success of Mr. Brahimi’s efforts.

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For information media • not an official record