A notable consensus

Saturday's UN Security Council resolution on Syria marks the greatest consensus the world has managed to build so far on seeking a political resolution to the crisis. All 15 UNSC members voted unanimously for the document, which aims to solve the Syria chemical weapons issue once and for all.

Under the deadlock-breaking resolution, Syria should give unfettered access to weapons experts so that Syria's chemical weapons can be dismantled by mid-2014. And by stating that the use of chemical weapons anywhere constitutes a threat to international peace and stability, the resolution places responsibilities on both the Syrian government and the opposition forces to ensure the weapons are destroyed.

The latest resolution has taken into consideration the concerns of all parties involved and should be implemented to the letter.

It is noticeable that the West, led by the United States, has backed down from their previous position, which insisted authorization of military action should be included in Saturday's resolution if Syria fails to comply.

A second UN resolution is required to authorize any use of punitive measures like military action or sanctions in the event there is a confirmed violation of the resolution. The reinstatement of the UN's leading role in the Syria crisis conforms to the trends of the times and the will of the people in the world.

If either the Syrian government or the opposition fails to live up to the wishes of the international community, they will have to pay a dear price and will lose the legitimacy to play a respectable role in the country's future.

However, the international community needs to have patience and must make continuous efforts to remove any obstacles to implement the UNSC resolution. But a political settlement to the crisis should always be upheld as it is the only way to resolve the issue peacefully.

China made an important point on Saturday by insisting that parallel efforts to achieve a political settlement alongside the efforts to destroy chemical weapons.

To this end, a second Geneva meeting should be held as soon as possible so as to pave the way to a speedy end to the violence in Syria and a comprehensive settlement of the crisis.

(China Daily 09/30/2013 page8)