United Nations: Syria faces great opportunities and real risks, and the stage must be managed properly

In his speech before the Security Council on Wednesday via video technology, Mr. Pedersen said that the caretaker authorities continue to work to structure and strengthen their authority, and have met with a wide range of Syrian components, as well as international players.

He also referred to reports of a preliminary agreement to merge the factions under a unified Ministry of Defense, although the implementation status remains unclear as some factions have reportedly not yet joined this agreement.

He added that the first list of military appointments in the new Ministry of Defense has been issued, and it appears to be taken from a group of factions, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, “It also includes fighters from foreign countries.”

Signs of instability

Pedersen said that there are signs of instability within the areas under the control of the interim authorities, including incidents of violence in the coastal region, Homs and Hama. He urged the authorities to “Extending a hand of reassurance and confidence to all communities in Syria, and promoting everyone’s active participation in building a new Syria.”

He said that the conflict continues in areas outside the control of the interim authorities, and there are threats “Very real” For the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. He particularly pointed to the situation in the northeast of the country, where there were reports of clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian National Army. He also expressed deep concern about continued Israeli military activity, including outside the separation zone, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

The path towards political transition

The Special Envoy also noted that the path towards political transition remains unclear. He said that some Syrians received positive signals from the interim authorities in this regard, especially with regard to the emphasis on inclusiveness and the need to involve a wide spectrum of Syrians in shaping the transitional phase and benefiting from the experiences of all Syrians.

But at the same time, he added, there are concerns about the lack of transparency about the timing, framework, objectives and procedures of any national dialogue conference – as well as participation, in terms of attendance criteria and balance of representation.

And he said: “It is important that this process is not rushed, and that it is well prepared and thought through. In this regard, I welcome the announcement by the caretaker authorities to postpone the conference until an expanded preparatory committee can be formed that includes what I call comprehensive representation of Syria from all sectors and governorates.” .

Pedersen said he was ready to work with the caretaker authorities on how to… “Develop new and important ideas and steps expressed so far that can be developed into a credible and inclusive political transition.”

2254: Non-literal implementation

He stressed that while it cannot be applied Security Council Resolution No. 2254 Literally, and that of the previous regime “He will not be a party to any future operation.” However, there is broad consensus that a political transition must achieve the key things set out in the resolution, including a credible, inclusive and transparent transition with Syrian leadership and ownership.

In this regard, he said: “Let me be clear. I do not think that any Syrian is demanding quotas on a sectarian or ethnic basis or using models from other countries. Rather, the Syrians are seeking a process that includes the broadest spectrum of Syrian society and Syrian parties, in order to create confidence among everyone regarding the political transition process.”

He stressed the need to prepare a new constitution through a reliable and comprehensive process, and to hold free and fair elections, including all Syrians, in accordance with international standards. He also stressed that the call for justice, accountability, and compensation finds a strong resonance among various sectors of society “It is a necessary and essential guarantee of sustainable peace and social cohesion.”

He added: “There are tremendous opportunities to build a foundation for lasting peace and stability in Syria. But wrong steps or missed opportunities could pose risks to Syria’s future and sow seeds of instability. I believe common ground on these issues can be developed easily through dialogue with the caretaker authorities.”

He stressed that working on a comprehensive political transition is the most effective way to build confidence and ensure that Syria urgently receives the economic support it desperately needs. “This in turn requires a smooth end to sanctions, taking appropriate measures on the issue of classification as well, and providing significant funding, including for reconstruction.”

Humanitarian crisis

For his part, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher said that the recent weeks were less turbulent than those that preceded the last Council meeting on Syria, but “The scale of the humanitarian crisis remains large.” He stressed the need to preserve and rebuild basic services, which have been damaged by years of conflict, including in the areas of health, access to water and electricity.

He also pointed out that about 13 million people in the country still face acute food insecurity, at a time when the World Food Program was forced to reduce food aid by 80 percent in the past two years due to lack of funding.

Mr. Fletcher also highlighted the importance of protecting civilians as millions of Syrians continue to be displaced within the country, including 620,000 people who were displaced from their homes during the period in which the former regime fell. He added that UN partners have identified more than a hundred sites contaminated with unexploded ordnance since late November, in Aleppo, Idlib, Hama and Latakia.

The Under-Secretary-General said that there are risks of marginalizing women and girls, and stressed that the future of Syria depends on them, saying: “Their voices must be heard during this critical period.”

A serious and real partnership

As the security situation stabilized, Fletcher said humanitarian operations had resumed on a larger scale, and he asked the Security Council to support the clear assurances he had received from the interim authorities that international humanitarian law would be respected, civilians would be protected, and humanitarian organizations would be allowed to operate freely.

And he said: “We continue to engage with the interim authorities in developing new ways of working, including new procedures for registering NGOs. We remain in daily contact on practical matters. I appreciate that this partnership is serious and real. But security, especially in Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Latakia and Tartous, is not “It remains a challenge.”

Mr. Fletcher also called for increased funding for the humanitarian response, which was only funded by a third, and announced the allocation of an additional $8 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, bringing the total to $20 million to support the expansion of humanitarian operations in Syria.

He stressed the need to ensure that support flows efficiently into and across Syria. And he said: “This means that any sanctions should not hinder humanitarian support. The US announcement of a new general authorization covering transactions with Syrian ruling institutions provides a welcome signal.”

Fletcher said active engagement by the Security Council and the international community remains essential “In this period of turbulent transition.” He added: “We must stand with the people of Syria at this time, and the humanitarian operation can make a huge impact if we are serious, bold and committed to supporting them.”

“Revolution of Freedom and Dignity”

In his first speech before the Security Council since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations, Qusay al-Dahhak, said: “A month later “Sunrise of freedom” Over Syria and victory “Revolution of Freedom and Dignity”Syria is witnessing a new phase in its history “In which the efforts of all Syrians join together to establish a state of freedom, equality, and the rule of law, achieve prosperity and stability, and turn the page on tyranny, suffering, and human rights violations.”

Al-Dahhak asked the international community to stand by the Syrians and their state in their quest to build a better future for their country. He emphasized that the past period witnessed “Smooth transition” To manage state institutions to a caretaker government that has been formed for a period “Expires at the beginning of next March.” This is to avoid disastrous effects “We have seen it before in other countries.”

Al-Dahhak said that the caretaker government is working to establish security and stability, provide basic needs and services, and prepare for a national dialogue conference to chart the features of the next stage and form the transitional government. “Which will supervise the preparation of national elections, including the process of drafting the constitution and holding elections.”

He said that the Syrian authorities declared their desire to build friendly relations with all member states of the United Nations based on the values ​​of mutual respect, constructive cooperation and common interests. “Away from the politics of axes and polarization,” He confirmed that “New Syria” Eager to be “A contributing factor to strengthening regional and international peace and security, and not engaging in any conflicts or wars.”

He added that his country calls for respecting the will of the Syrian people and their national choices. “This matter requires that any external parties abstain from disrupting the political process or seeking to achieve gains that are inconsistent with the interests of the Syrian people and the good of their country. It also requires immediate cessation of statements and practices aimed at trying to create strife, stir up chaos, or threaten civil and societal peace in Syria.”

He said that the Syrians have suffered for many years “The time has come for them to breathe a sigh of relief and live a dignified life in their homeland like other peoples of the world.” He called on the United Nations and its member states to work to immediately and completely lift unilateral coercive measures, provide the necessary funding to meet humanitarian needs and restore basic services, support early recovery projects, livelihoods and sustainable development, and provide appropriate conditions for the dignified return of displaced people and refugees to their cities and homes.

In this context, he referred to the step taken by the United States of America to expand exemptions from… “unilateral coercive measures”, He invited it along with other countries “To completely lift these measures against the Syrian people because they were originally directed against the previous regime and its criminal tools.”

He said that his country stresses the need to ensure non-exploitation “The Israeli occupation entity” Due to the current circumstances of violating its sovereignty “And an attempt to create a new reality.” Through the incursion of his military forces into additional areas of Syrian territory in Jabal al-Sheikh, Quneitra Governorate, and the surrounding areas.

The Syrian ambassador also called for ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the areas they recently entered. “And to put an end to its aggressive practices against its people, and to respect the mandates of the UNDOF and UNTSU missions and not to harm them.”