Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Damascus, (SANA)-Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad discussed with Major General Purna Chandra Thapa, the new force commander of the UN mission in Golan, prospects for cooperation with the United Nations under UNDOF mandate.
Asserting that the Syrian government honors its commitments under the 1974 separation of forces agreement, Mikdad vowed consistent facilitations for the UN mission to execute its duties in an optimal way.
UNDOF is the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) which was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 350 on 31 May 1974. Since then, UNDOF has remained in the area to supervise the implementation of the disengagement agreement.
Major General Thapa succeeded Lieutenant General Iqbal Singh Singha of India, who completed his assignment on 2 January.
An agreement between Syria and Israel was reached in May 1974 that stipulated the disengagement and separation of Israeli and Syrian military forces on Golan, and the creation of disengagement zones between the two armies.
Mikdad pointed to close cooperation between Israeli occupation authorities and armed terrorist groups operating on the Syrian land, highlighting Israel’s incessant violations of the 1974 agreement.
He demanded that the UN Security Council takes deterrent measures to rein in Israel’s violations, indicating that UNDOF presence is temporary and contingent on ending Israeli occupation of Golan according to relevant UN resolutions.
Major General Thapa, in turn, commended “constructive cooperation” shown by the Syrian government with UNDOF force and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, hoping security and stability will return to Syria.
Manal Ismael
