Ban utmost appreciative for His Highness the Amir's participation in London conf.

By Marwan Baltrash LONDON, Feb 5 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday voiced utmost appreciation for effective participation of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in London's 'Supporting Syria and the Region' conference.
"I would like to personally thank His Highness the Amir and the Kuwaiti people for their generosity in terms of caring for humanitarian causes," Ban said in an exclusive statement to KUNA.
"We all have the right to be proud of what the international community have accomplished last night, as by successfully raising the largest amount of funding for one day and for one cause," Ban said, noting that last night's funds were the largest throughout UN history.
He acknowledged that despite difficult economic challenges faced by some contributing countries; they illustrated an unprecedented image of solidarity and generosity in a bid to ease suffering of the Syrian people.
The conference concluded yesterday and led to pledges of more than USD 10 billion, including USD 300 million from Kuwait; a co-host state, in aid of the Syrian people.
On proposals of sending peacekeeping troops to Syria, Ban said "there has to be peace there first," noting that such proposal is linked to resolutions by the UN Security Council.
A political solution is the only way out, reiterated Ban, pointing out that beefing up airstrikes on Syria was not in favor of supporting a political track.
The UN chief saw that the temporary postponing of the Geneva talks was a right call. It is very important to achieve progress on ground for the Syrian people, so that talks can be resumed later this month, he said. (end) mrn.hb