Ban Ki-moon: No military solution to Syrian conflict

Sept 20, 2012: The UN Secretary General says that there is no military solution to the conflict between the Syrian government and the rebels, even if they are using every possible means to eliminate each other.

Speaking at a press conference before the new session of the UN General Assembly, Ban Ki-moon said he was "concerned" about the fact that after 18 months of struggle against Assad there was no end in sight. "I think military means will not bring an answer" he added, raising once again " That should be resolved through political dialogue." According to the UN, the war in Syria has already claimed more than 20 thousand dead.

Just yesterday Bashar al-Assad received a visit from Iranian foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, who said that "the solution to the conflict is found only in Syria and within the Syrian family."

Meanwhile, violence is escalating on the ground. Yesterday, the opposition attacked the south-western outskirts of Damascus and other districts to the north and south. Government troops responded with volleys and rockets fired from helicopters, killing at least 20 people. The rebels accused the military of destroying and burning homes, government media enhance the need to strke against "armed terrorist groups."

There is also an escalation in the supply of weapons. The U.S. State Department revealed that 117 Iranian jets arrived in Damascus. Officially they carry "humanitarian goods," but according to the U.S. they carry weapons. Money and weapons are being made available to the rebels by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, United States, France and Great Britain who offer them useful materials for the war, but not weapons (communication tools, binoculars, infrared, etc. ..).

Last week, on the plane that took him to Lebanon, Benedict XVI said that it is important to stop the importation of weapons to bring peace in Syria. "Instead of importing weapons - he added - which is a grave sin, we need to import the ideas of peace, creativity, finding solutions, accepting everyone's differences."