Pakistan and China have opposed any military action in Syria and called for restraint.

Islamabad, Aug 30/Nationalturk – With United States mulling to launch punitive military strikes in Syria, Pakistan and China have opposed any military action in Syria and called for restraint.

“Pakistan is deeply concerned over the ongoing violence in Syria,” said  Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.

He urged western powers to avoid the use of force to settle the conflict in the volatile middle-eastern state.

“Use of force must be avoided at all costs as the people of Syria have already suffered enormously,” he said and urged all sides to pursue the policy of restraint and engage in comprehensive political dialogue.

‘Let us wait for UN probe on use of chemical weapons’

He said Pakistan condemns the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. “It was important to establish facts before any military action was taken. The United Nations investigating team is in Syria to probe the use of chemical weapons and the international community should wait for the outcome of this investigation before taking any action”.

The Syrian government has denied it is responsible for a suspected chemical attack in eastern Ghouta near Damascus on August 21 which reportedly killed hundreds, and has instead accused rebel forces of carrying out the attack. Syrian government has allowed an access for UN inspectors to probe the use of chemical weapons in eastern Ghouta.

“Pakistan believes that sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria must be respected.  Pakistan’s position was guided by the principle of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-intervention in internal affairs,” Aizaz said.

He indicated that Pakistan might oppose any resolution in United Nations seeking military action against Syria.

‘China keeping close watch on Syria situation’

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged all sides to keep calm and maintain restraint.

“China is keeping a close watch on the situation in Syria,” he said.

Wang said China side is firmly opposed to any use of chemical weapons in Syria and supports UN’s independent, objective, impartial and professional investigation there.

“Nobody should interfere with or prejudge the investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. A political solution is always the only realistic means to resolve the Syria issue,” he said.

The Chinese foreign minister said military interference from the outside will conflict with the UN Charter and exacerbate the turmoil in the Middle East.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News

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