*ISLAMABAD: *Pakistan Foreign Office has responded to the imminent threatsof the strike on Syria by the US Coalition Forces.
Pakisan stressed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorialintegrity of Syria in the wake of imminent joint air strikes by the West,including the United States, to punish the Assad regime for suspectedchemical weapons attack on its rebel-held territories.
“We do not comment on interstate relations,” said Foreign Officespokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal at the weekly news briefing when asked tocomment on the military strikes being planned by several Western countries,including the US, in Syria.
The FO spokesperson said, “Pakistan’s position on the situation in Syria isbased on the principles of international law, the UN Charter and the rulesof interstate conduct with special focus on respect for the sovereignty andterritorial integrity of Syria.”
The cautious reaction suggests that Pakistan opposes any military action bythe US or any other Western countries against the Assad regime, whichenjoys the backing of Russia and Iran.
The US, France and Britain have been contemplating launching air strikes inSyria after Assad regime was accused of using chemical weapons on theSyrian city of Douma last weekend.
President Assad’s government denied the allegations while its main backerRussia warned the West, including US, against any military strikes.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump appeared to suggest that air strikeswere imminent, warning Russia to “get ready” for military action. But afterbeing criticised for apparently telegraphing US intentions, Trump onThursday attempted to blur the timing of potential air strikes in Syria.
“Never said when an attack on Syria would take place … could be very soonor not so soon at all!” The president’s tweet read, without ruling outattacks.
Since the unrest began seven years ago, Pakistan has maintained a delicatestance opposing outside intervention to settle the Syrian crises.