BICOM

Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday issued a stern warning of impending humanitarian disaster, as G8 foreign ministers appeared no closer to resolving differences over intervention in Syria.

The two-year Syrian conflict has left an estimated 70,000 people dead so far. Speaking after talks in London between the foreign ministers of the world’s eight leading industrialised nations, United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia, Hague said that Syria “is turning into the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of the twenty first century so far.”

Hague criticised the international community for not ending the bloodshed, saying “The world has failed so far in its responsibilities and continues to do so.” He candidly commented “The United Nations Security Council has not fulfilled its responsibilities because it is divided. That division continues.” While Hague and his French counterpart Laurent Fabius are lobbying for greater intervention on behalf of the Syrian opposition, Russia, a stalwart ally of President Assad has continually opposed such efforts.

Four representatives of the opposition Syrian National Council, met with foreign ministers yesterday on the sidelines of the G8 meeting. The Telegraph says that they secured a pledge of more support from US Secretary of State John Kerry, although it is unclear what this might include. In an interview with the Times, the internationally recognised Syrian opposition leader, Ghassan Ghitto called for the international community to supply weapons to the Free Syrian Army.

However, the Austrian Foreign Minister, Michael Spindelegger told the Jerusalem Post that if a European Union arms embargo on Syria were lifted, Austria may withdraw its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping force on the Israel-Syria border, for fear that they would no longer be regarded as neutral and become targets in the fighting. Austria currently supplies the largest contingent of soldiers to the peacekeeping force.