Syria's UN envoy says Israeli forces 'seeking every possible means to provoke Syrian people'

Syria's UN envoy Ibrahim Olabi said on Tuesday that Israel is deliberately destabilizing Syria, warning that Israeli forces are working to provoke Damascus even as the country pursues regional stabilization efforts.

Addressing the UN Security Council's open debate on the Middle East, Olabi said Syria's efforts to establish security had been broadly welcomed internationally, but charged that they "are currently being undermined only by the Israeli occupation and its criminal practices in southern Syria."

He further stated that "Israeli occupation forces are seeking every possible means to provoke the Syrian people."

Despite the sharp criticism of Israel, Olabi acknowledged that the broader regional picture had shown some improvement.

"Although the situation in the region today has improved in recent weeks, the final settlement of the conflict has not yet been achieved, and the situation remains vulnerable to renewed deterioration," he said.

He praised international mediators for their stabilizing role, saying the world must "thank all the countries playing a mediating role, especially the friendly state of Pakistan, along with the Gulf Arab states, Egypt, and Türkiye."

Olabi also voiced support for Washington's diplomatic engagement to contain escalation in the region, especially the efforts of President Donald Trump, and welcomed the extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon.

"Over the past few weeks, the Middle East has witnessed a grave existential threat," said Ibrahim Olabi.

On the question of armed factions, he endorsed Beirut's move against Hezbollah's independent military activity, welcoming "the decision of the Lebanese government rejecting any military or security actions launched from Lebanese territory outside the framework of legitimate state institutions, including the weapons of Hezbollah."

Warning against Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, he cautioned against "the grave escalation and unilateral and illegal Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank" and urged a halt to all actions undermining the two-state solution.