Solution to Syrian crisis can only be political: UNRWA chief

As possibility of a US military strike looms large over Syria, a senior UN official today supported India's position disfavouring any "military solution" to resolve the conflict.
Filippo Grandi, Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which has been operating in the Middle East, said a "political solution" must be found to end the bloodshed in Syria, a position which has been maintained by India.
Grandi held talks with senior officials of Ministry of External Affairs and the Syrian crisis figured in the discussions.
Agreeing with India's stand on the issue, he said the UN has been maintaining that any military intervention in Syria must be endorsed by the UN Security Council.

"The UN promotes the view that military intervention should be endorsed by the Security Council. That's the view of the UN Secretary General," Grandi told PTI here.
India has disfavoured any military solution to resolve the Syrian conflict and said it will prefer to await the full results of the UN probe into the Syrian government's apparent use of chemical weapons that killed thousands of people.

Asking all sides to abjure violence and work for creation of conducive conditions for an inclusive political dialogue, India also supported the proposed 'International Conference on Syria' (Geneva-II) as being the best prospect for a political solution.

Expressing concern over the situation in the violence-marred country, Grandi said all major players recognise that the solution to the crisis can only be "political".
Grandi said he sought India's further help in providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees in the MIddle East.
"India has been supporting the humanitarian efforts. We want India to expand the cooperation. We have been asked to make a proposal in this regard," he said.