SECRETARY-GENERAL MEETS WITH EGYPT, LEBANON, MOROCCO, SYRIA AND ARAB LEAGUE TO DISCUSS EFFORTS TO DEFUSE TENSION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA

Press Release
SG/SM/6742

SECRETARY-GENERAL MEETS WITH EGYPT, LEBANON, MOROCCO, SYRIA AND ARAB LEAGUE TO DISCUSS EFFORTS TO DEFUSE TENSION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General met Monday with the Permanent Representatives of Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Syria to the United Nations and the Permanent Observer for the League of Arab States to the United Nations, at their request. The Ambassadors expressed concern at current tensions between Syria and Turkey, underlined Syria's determination to find a diplomatic solution, and rejected the threat of the use of force as a means to settle differences between States. The Secretary-General was briefed on the efforts President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt is currently undertaking to defuse tensions, in his capacity as Chairman of the Arab Summit.

The Secretary-General shared the Ambassadors' concern at the recent increase in tension. He welcomed the efforts of Egypt, as well as Iran, to mediate a peaceful solution. He has been in contact with both parties and is of the opinion that every effort must be made to avoid a further deterioration. He calls on Turkey and Syria to show restraint and urges them to solve their differences through negotiations.

Earlier, the Secretary-General had received, through the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations, a letter on this matter addressed to him by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

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