A Public Lecture entitled, “Current Issues in Syria and Developments in the Region”, by H.E Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban,Presidential, Political and Media Adviser as well as Special Envoy of the President of the Syrian Arab Republicwas held at IDFR on 11 October 2011. She was in Malaysia as part of her visits to countries in the region to explain her government’s view about the current political situation in Syria.
The visiting dignitary explained that the political unrest and turmoil that Syria is facing now is caused by armed gangs and not by the army which she said is actually trying to protect its people from the violence. She added that Syrian people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds have long lived in peace and harmony but the current political unrest which is supported by the western powers have led to religious and ethnic tensions as never seen before.
Talking about international support for her government, she drew attention to the recent Security Council Resolution that called for targeted actions against Syria for human rights violations. The resolution which had the support of the western powers was vetoed by Russia and China.
She also talked about her government’s effort in meeting the rising expectations of the Syrian people for change and democratic reforms. Among the changes that she said her government plans to introduce is rewriting of the country’s constitution and multiparty elections.
The Public Lecture was attended by about 170 participants, with a strong representation from the diplomatic corps in Kuala Lumpur as well as from various Ministries, agencies and academic institutions.
