Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the UN General Assembly Resolution on Syria, August 3, 2012

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

August 3, 2012

The United States welcomes the strong message that the United Nations General Assembly delivered today both to the Syrian regime and to the Syrian people. Today's General Assembly resolution, supported by an overwhelming majority of UN member states, strongly condemns the Syrian authorities' increasing use of heavy weapons and its ongoing and intensifying human rights abuses. The General Assembly demanded once more that the first step in the cessation of violence be made by the Assad regime. Importantly, the resolution also welcomes the Arab League's July 22nd decision, which calls for Assad to step down and for a transitional government to be formed. The United States is pleased that the General Assembly has made it abundantly clear that Syria's chemical weapons must remain secure and that members of the regime will be held accountable in the event such weapons are used.

Despite the continued opposition of an increasingly isolated minority, the overwhelming majority of UN members clearly stands resolutely with the Syrian people as they seek to fulfill their legitimate aspirations. The United States will continue to work with like-minded partners both at the United Nations and elsewhere, including with the over 130 countries who supported today's resolution, to advance Syria’s transition, provide humanitarian support to those in need, and unify and strengthen the political opposition.

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