Golan Heights a top priority in talks at UN – Syria’s envoy
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Permanent Representative of Syria’s transitional government to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, said on Sunday that the issue of the Golan Heights and the protection of civilians from Israeli violations are among the top priorities Syrian representatives will address in New York.
In an interview with Syria’s state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV, Olabi said that many countries, particularly Western states, had sidelined the Golan file due to their stance toward Syria’s former government.
He added that Syrian diplomacy has now restored relations with both Western and Eastern countries, a development he said would contribute to the strong reintroduction of the Golan issue on the international agenda.
Olabi also commented on a visit by a United Nations delegation, including Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, to Quneitra Governorate in southern Syria on Jan. 10, describing the visit as successful and carrying a clear message that “this land is Syrian.”
Olabi indicated that the delegation reviewed Israeli violations in the area and conveyed the voices of affected residents to the international community, noting that the visit helped shape new ideas for establishing a mechanism to curb Israeli violations.
“I will take several files from Quneitra to New York, including the issue of securing the release of Syrians abducted by occupation forces,” Olabi said.
He stressed that Syria’s demands are grounded in realities on the ground, with UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) troops playing a role in this process.
Syrian diplomat reaffirmed that the Syrian state has not and will not relinquish any part of its territory, emphasizing that any Israeli presence in these areas constitutes an illegal occupation.