In Damascus, top UN envoy stresses need for credible, inclusive, ‘Syrian owned’ transition
Damascus, 16 December 2024 – The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, today concluded a three-day visit to Damascus, where he met with senior Syrian officials, including President Bashar al-Assad, Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, and National Security Advisor Ali Mamlouk.
During his meetings, Pedersen stressed the need for a credible, inclusive, and “Syrian owned” political transition, in line with Security Council resolution 2254. He also discussed the importance of addressing the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people, including the release of detainees, the provision of humanitarian assistance, and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Pedersen welcomed the recent release of a number of detainees, including women and children, and called for the release of all remaining detainees. He also called for an end to the use of torture and ill-treatment in detention facilities.
Pedersen expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, particularly in the northwest, where more than 4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. He called for increased access for humanitarian organizations to all parts of the country, and for an end to the use of sieges and starvation as a weapon of war.
Pedersen also discussed the need for progress on the issue of missing persons. He welcomed the recent establishment of a working group on missing persons, and called for the group to be given the necessary resources and support to carry out its mandate.
Pedersen said that he would continue to work with all parties to the conflict to find a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis. He stressed the importance of dialogue and compromise, and called on all parties to put the interests of the Syrian people first.
Background
The Syrian conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests that were met with a violent crackdown by the Syrian government. The conflict has since escalated into a full-scale civil war, with multiple armed groups fighting for control of the country.
The United Nations has been involved in the Syrian conflict since the beginning, and has been working to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. In 2015, the Security Council adopted resolution 2254, which called for a ceasefire, the establishment of a transitional government, and the holding of free and fair elections.
However, the resolution has not been implemented, and the conflict continues to drag on. The humanitarian situation in Syria is deteriorating, and millions of people have been displaced from their homes.
In Damascus, top UN envoy stresses need for credible, inclusive, ‘Syrian owned’ transition
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