In Syria, top UN envoy highlights international backing for political transition
2025-01-22 12:00
Damascus, Syria – The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, reaffirmed the international community’s support for a political transition in the war-torn country during meetings with Syrian officials in Damascus on Sunday.
Pedersen met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad to discuss the latest developments in the Syrian conflict and the prospects for a political solution.
In a statement released after the meetings, Pedersen said that he had emphasized the need for all parties to engage in a “meaningful political process” under the auspices of the UN.
“I stressed that the international community is united in its support for a political transition in Syria that is Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, and in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254,” Pedersen said.
Resolution 2254, adopted by the UN Security Council in 2015, calls for a ceasefire in Syria, the establishment of a transitional government, and the drafting of a new constitution.
Pedersen said that he had discussed with Assad and Mekdad the possibility of holding a new round of peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, in the coming months.
“I emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for the resumption of negotiations, including the release of detainees, the lifting of sieges, and the improvement of humanitarian access,” Pedersen said.
The Special Envoy also met with representatives of Syrian civil society and opposition groups. He said that he had listened to their perspectives on the conflict and the political process.
“I reiterated the UN’s commitment to working with all Syrians to achieve a peaceful and prosperous future for their country,” Pedersen said.
The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has left hundreds of thousands of people dead and displaced millions more. The country is now divided between government-controlled areas and areas controlled by rebel groups.
The UN has been facilitating peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups since 2012, but the talks have made little progress.
In Syria, top UN envoy highlights international backing for political transition
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