Syrian people continue to face numerous challenges, and meeting them necessitates hard work in a multitude of sectors.
Nothing is more important or urgent than ending unilateral coercive measures that have harmed the Syrian people to the point where they have been deprived of their basic human rights, including the right to medicine, health care, food, water, electricity, and communications.
These illegal measures negatively impact the delivery of life-saving humanitarian supplies where they are needed most.
Given the dire humanitarian situation in Syria, where "major portions of civilian infrastructure have been destroyed," the Security Council must work diligently to ensure that resolution 2585 is fully implemented, in a balanced and effective manner, especially in terms of early recovery projects and the lifting of unilateral sanctions.
We fully support the UN Secretary- General's call for "further expanding early recovery operations" in Syria, and agree that such initiatives "are crucial to the sustained success of the humanitarian response in the country."
It is particularly disheartening that, due to the lack of collaboration on the part of other parties, progress on cross-line operations in areas not controlled by the government has been far less than envisaged.
We condemn the robbery of Syrian people's natural resources in areas controlled by foreign forces, particularly oil and agricultural products, and recognize the government's legitimate right to combat such criminal acts.
More importantly, Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity continue to be significantly violated by the unlawful presence of foreign forces, including those of the US.
We strongly condemn the Israeli regime's repeated violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The recent Israeli attacks in Syria, which targeted civilians and civilian infrastructures, constitute flagrant violations of international humanitarian law. We call on the Security Council to hold this regime accountable for such acts of aggression and its malign activities as well as its open threats to use force against other regional countries that jeopardize regional peace and security.
The Astana format will continue its efforts to bring the crisis to an end and alleviate the sufferings of the Syrian people, and in support of these efforts, Foreign Ministers of the Astana guarantors will meet in Antalya on 10 March.
We commend Pedersen's recent visit to Damascus and support his ongoing efforts to hold the Constitutional Committee's next meeting, which is scheduled for 21 March.
We underscore once more that the Committee must work in strict conformity with its Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure, without any outside influence or pressure, and any artificial deadlines. This must be a truly Syrian-led and Syrian-owned endeavor, with the UN's role limited to facilitating that process.
The free movement of terrorist groups, including ISIS, in Syria's territory where foreign forces are illegally present, as well as their transfer to other countries, endanger regional and international peace and security.
The fight against terrorism cannot be used as an excuse to undermine Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The illegal presence of foreign forces in parts of Syria which has provided favorable conditions for terrorist activities in Syria, must end immediately.
Iran continues to support Syria's efforts to tackle terrorist threats and preserve its unity and territorial integrity, the Iranian ambassador continued.
