Ban Ki-moon says Syria resolution must be enforceable

during the General Assembly next week to a make a “strong appeal” for “action now.”

“This is a crucial period for global cooperation. Syria is the biggest peace,security and humanitarian challenge we face. Let us be clear: the use of chemical weapons in Syria is only the tip of the iceberg,” Ban said here on Tuesday.

Asserting that the suffering in Syria must end,Ban said he was encouraged by the framework agreement reached between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on dealing with Syria’s chemical weapons.

“I hope that that spirit of very friendly negotiations on

the basis of good rapport,according to their expressions,

will really help forge unity among the Security Council and

address all these issues on an urgent basis by adopting a

Security Council resolution,which can really be an

enforceable one,” he said,adding that the agreement should be

translated into action as “there is not much time to lose.”

About 130 world leaders would assemble here next week for

the 68th session of the UNGA,during which the situations in

Afghanistan,Egypt,Mali and the Central African Republic

would be high on the agenda.

Ban said the Security Council,which is the main UN body

responsible for peace and security of the international

community,should be united at this time.

He termed the findings by the UN weapons inspectors on

the use of chemical weapons in Syria as “indisputable and

overwhelming.”

“They (the findings) are based on scientific facts.

Therefore,we must not take the business as usual (approach).

I sincerely hope that Russia and the United States demonstrate

their leadership at this time,particularly the countries of

the permanent members of the Security Council. They have a

crucially important historical and moral political

responsibility.”

He said he hoped the Council took action quickly because,

“while we welcome the belated accession by the Syrian

Government to the Chemical Weapons Convention,there are many

obligations (which) must be implemented.”