Egypt condemns Israeli occupation of more Syrian land

Egypt has condemned Israel’s seizure of the buffer zone within Syrian territory, thus occupying more Syrian land illegally. The foreign ministry in Cairo called yesterday for the UN Security Council to intervene and take a “firm stand” against the occupation state.

“Egypt believes that this is a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty and a clear breach of the 1974 disengagement agreement,” said the ministry.

Syria TV, affiliated with the opposition factions that overthrew President Bashar Al-Assad, said on Facebook yesterday that “the Israeli occupation’s advance” on the ground coincided with the bombing of Daraa in the south of Syria.

According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range missile sites in Syria were targeted to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile parties.

However, Egypt pointed out that Israel is “violating international law and violating the unity and integrity of Syrian territory… exploiting the power vacuum in Syria to occupy more of its territory and to impose another fait accompli on the ground in violation of international law.”

The Egyptian government is otherwise awaiting with caution the repercussions of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. “We are following with great interest the developments in the Syrian Arab Republic,” said the ministry, stressing its support for the Syrian state and people, as well as its commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

“We call on all Syrian parties, regardless of their orientations, to safeguard the country’s resources and national institutions, uphold the supreme interest of the nation, and work towards unifying objectives and priorities. This includes initiating a comprehensive and inclusive political process to establish a new phase of internal harmony and peace, and to restore Syria’s regional and international role.”

Syria gov’t adviser: Israel seeks occupation of our land