– The Canadian Special Envoy for Syria , Omar Alghabra, said that the wave of deadly violence in Syria highlights the need to ensure that “evil forces” do not take control of the struggling country and deteriorate conditions within it
Al-Ghabra is the Liberal MP for Mississauga Centre, and as Special Envoy for Syria, reports to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly
The decline of Russian- and Iranian-backed militants after the fall of the Assad regime, and the conflicts between competing interests since then, highlight precisely why the world should watch events in Syria closely, Al-Ghabra said
“This weekend we witnessed massive violence, with many civilians paying the price,” Al-Ghabra said
“This is exactly why the world needs to get involved to ensure that the forces of injustice and evil do not take control of Syria and harm the Syrian people and the region,” he added
Over the past few days, clashes between Syrian government security forces and loyalists of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and ensuing revenge killings have killed more than 1,000 people, including 750 civilians, inside Syria
The list of other dead included 125 members of the Syrian government’s security forces and 148 militants from armed groups loyal to former dictator Assad
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that families were displaced from several villages
Al-Ghabra revealed that he and Jolie met the new Syrian foreign minister at a conference held two weeks ago in Paris
It was attended by most European and Middle Eastern political leaders
“We had conversations about their vision for Syria, and all I can tell you is that I hear a lot of the right things, a commitment to an inclusive Syria based on civil society, however, we need to hold this government accountable,” Al-Ghabra said
The Special Envoy said Canada needs to ensure that Syria does not miss this opportunity for democracy
This could be achieved by modifying and easing some of the sanctions imposed on Syria, while holding the new government accountable for the results, Al-Ghabra explained in the presentation
Canada and other countries could also provide additional support, he said
“By knowing how to support civil society, by advising them on how to build governance and democracy, and by ensuring that they are not left alone, because I trust the Syrian people,” Al-Ghabra said
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