Syrian crisis: peaceful transfer of power is very important, special envoy – eSHOP24X7

It is noteworthy that recently in Syria, opposition forces, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), stormed the capital Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad from power, after which Geyer Pedersen made this statement warning.

Geir Pedersen, U.N. special envoy for Syria, said Tuesday: “Syria is now at a juncture where we face great opportunities and grave risks. And we really need to consider both.”

“Of course, we know that HTS now largely controls the country, but it is also important to remember that it is not the only armed group in Damascus.”

Images have been seen of scenes of jubilation on the streets of the capital, Damascus, following the end of the Assad regime.

Geyer Pedersen told reporters in Geneva that during the handover there were reports of looting and “attacks on public buildings or private homes,” but that these incidents appear to have stopped, which is good news.

Thwarted prospects for peace

In areas far from the capital, Damascus, uncertainty reigns; Due to the 13-year civil war in Syria, regional and international parties have become involved in the events in the country, so ongoing peacekeeping efforts under the leadership of the United Nations have been disrupted.

The UN Special Envoy said that the conflict in the northeastern region of the country is not over; “There have been clashes between the Syrian National Army, opposition groups and (the Syrian Democratic Forces). We are clearly appealing for peace in this area as well.”

Special envoy Geir Pedersen also drew attention to numerous reports of Israeli troop movements in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and bombing of targets inside Syria.

Geyer Pedersen stressed: “This has to stop. I am not in contact with the Israelis, but certainly the United Nations in New York is in contact.”

“And, you know, in the Golan Heights, UN peacekeepers are in daily contact with the Israelis. And, of course, the message from New York headquarters is exactly the same: that what we are seeing is a violation of the 1974 standoff agreement.”

period of deep uncertainty

The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, referring to his confidential talks with the Security Council, explained that the transfer of power in the country is full of uncertainties.

He stressed that there are still many things that are unclear about HTS and its intentions. (Abu Mohammed al) “Jolani himself mentioned in an interview with the American news network CNN that he was discussing the possibility of eliminating HTS.

Geyer Pedersen said: “I want to underline once again that we are still in what we call a very unstable period and things have not calmed down yet.”

“There is a real opportunity for change, but this opportunity must be seized by the Syrian people themselves and supported by the United Nations and the international community.”

A major potential obstacle to holding international negotiations with HTS is that the group is still listed as a terrorist organization in Security Council resolutions. Due to the lack of international dialogue with this organization, opposition forces have been able to enter the capital, Damascus, through Aleppo, Hama and Homs.

It is noteworthy that the Forum’s main resolution on Syria, No. 2254, adopted unanimously in December 2015, explicitly calls on Member States to stop and suppress terrorist acts committed by HTS’s predecessor, the Al Front. -Nusra.

terrorism list

Geyer Pedersen suggested that there was a possibility of changing this list of terrorists. “You have to look at the facts and see what has happened in the last nine years. “It has been nine years since that resolution was adopted and the reality so far is that the Syrian people are receiving good messages and signals from HTS and other armed groups.”

“They are sending messages of unity, inclusion and, frankly, we are also seeing it in Aleppo and Hama, and we have also seen reassuring things on the ground.”

On the other hand, many Syrians exiled because of the war are now preparing to return to their homes.

In such circumstances, the UN special envoy highlighted the collective will seen at the meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia, Iran and several Arab countries held in Doha over the weekend. He expressed hope that Syria’s new rulers would implement their initial promising announcements in favor of a peaceful transfer of power.

The international community has also expressed its expectation to ensure this.

The Syrian envoy said: “As I was leaving Doha, a Syrian family approached me, they lived in Sweden, and they said, ‘Mr. Vpaderson, you know, we have a lot of hope, we know there are a lot of challenges.’

“We left Hama 10 years ago and we really want to return there. We hope this is possible. “And I think that’s really something that many Syrians are still hoping for today.”