From Damascus, the UN envoy to Syria: We look forward with cautious hope to a new chapter for peace and reconciliation.

Pedersen told reporters – in his first visit to Damascus after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime – that the change that is taking place now is enormous and in itself creates great hopes, but he added that there are also many challenges “that are still ahead of us.” He stressed the need to deal with this matter in the right way from the beginning.

He referred to his repeated calls for the necessity of starting a political process that includes all Syrians. And he said: “It is clear that this process needs to be led by the Syrians themselves, and it is a Syrian responsibility, with support and assistance, I hope, provided to them.”

Pedersen touched on a second challenge that he said he was confident that the caretaker government understood well, which is Developing and operating state institutions. He stressed the utmost importance of providing services and ensuring the rule of law, order and security.

He said that Syria has gone through a massive humanitarian crisis Also, stressing the importance of ensuring that they receive more immediate humanitarian aid for the Syrian people, and all refugees who wish to return. The UN official also touched on the issue The recovery of the economy and the need to reform it quickly. He expressed hope for a speedy end to the sanctions“So we can see a real rally around building Syria again.”

Speaking to reporters, Geir Pedersen, the UN envoy to Syria, stressed the need to… Achieving justice and accountability for crimes And to ensure that this is done through a credible judicial system, “and we do not see any retaliation.”

In response to a question from journalists about lifting the sanctions, Pedersen said: “We need an organized process and I very much look forward to continuing my discussions with the caretaker government and the authorities here. My team and I and the UN family have been approached by broad groups of Syrians from all over Syria, from the international community and from Syrians abroad, and of course you all know that I have just arrived.” From Aqaba, the good news from Aqaba is that there is a unified position on the desire to help and support Syria.”