NEW YORK:- In his final address as the United Nation's Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon opened the annual General Assembly on Tuesday by appealing for peace and criticizing the Syrian government for civilian deaths.
"Many groups have killed many innocents – but none more so than the government of Syria, which continues to barrel bomb neighborhoods and systematically torture thousands of detainees," Ban said.
The UN leader also reprimanded world leaders and representatives gathered in the room for their role in the deadly conflict in Syria.
He noted that "powerful patrons that keep feeding the war machine also have blood on their hands."
"Present in this hall today are representatives of governments that have ignored, facilitated, funded, participated in or even planned and carried out atrocities inflicted by all sides of the Syria conflict against Syrian civilians," Ban added in his final address.
The comments come on the heels of the UN and Red Cross' decision to temporarily halt aid deliveries in Syria after a 31-truck aid convoy was hit by an airstrike on Monday.
Obama's UN swan song
US President Barack Obama also delivered his final address to the world body on Tuesday. He criticized "crude populism" which has expanded in the US and in Europe, saying those beliefs "fail to recognize our common humanity."
Although Obama emphasized the positive strides made around the world in terms of safety and the near doubling of democratic governments,he lamented worldwide struggles with the refugee crisis, terrorism, and a deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.
"This is the paradox that defines the world today," Obama said. "We must go forward, and not backward."
He also called on all nations to follow through on refugee policies and aid. "We have to do more and open our hearts to refugees who are desperate for a home," Obama urged.
Other world leaders are set to speak on Tuesday during the first day of the 71st annual General Assembly, including French President Francois Hollande, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
