Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

(—) (): Until the United Nations Security Council is able to break its deadlock on Syria, Australia will continue to work with like-minded countries to increase pressure on the Assad regime. We have done this through autonomous sanctions coordinated with the European Union, the Arab League, the United States and others. These sanctions restrict trade in key sectors for the regime, prevent military assistance and target individuals and entities associated with human rights abuses. We also must ensure that the conflict does not escalate any further or spill over into neighbouring countries. We know the alarm felt not only in Lebanon and Turkey but also in Iraq about the implications of this civil war, with all its sectarian overtones for their sovereignty and the safety of their people. I join others in calling for restraint from both Syria and Turkey following recent cross-border shelling, while confirming that we stand in solidarity with the people— (Time expired)