UN envoy calls for halting Israeli bombing in Syria
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UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, has urged for an immediate cessation of Israeli bombings and troop movements in Syria.
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The United Nations' Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, briefs the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East (Syria) in 2019 (UN)
UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen called for an immediate halt to Israeli bombings and troop movements in Syria.
He also warned of the "risk" of further conflict in Syria if all ethnic groups were not included in the post-Assad transition.
Pedersen noted that Syria could potentially see an end to sanctions, the return of refugees, and the implementation of justice, as long as "good arrangements" were made during the power transition.
This comes shortly after the UN Envoy emphasized the widespread demand from millions of Syrians for the establishment of stable and inclusive transitional arrangements, as stated in a declaration released on Sunday.
Pedersen called on all Syrians to focus on dialogue, unity, and adherence to international humanitarian law and human rights as they work to "rebuild their nation."
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Syrian people in their efforts to achieve a stable and inclusive future.
Syria demands UNSC stop Israeli aggression on country
Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Qusay al-Dahhak, called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the secretary-general to prevent "Israel" from exploiting the turnover period that the country is experiencing.
"Acting on instructions from the current government, Syria has appealed to the Security Council and the secretary-general of the United Nations, demanding that they stop the Israeli aggression," he told reporters.
It is worth noting that the Israeli occupation has expanded its occupation of Syrian territory, taking over the entirety of the Golan region and nine towns in the southern countryside of Damascus, positioning its forces just 20 km away from the capital. The Israeli entity has also launched nearly 300 strikes on Syrian military assets, destroying the majority of the Syrian Air Force and air defenses, which remained inactive and unable to defend against the aggression.
Al-Dahhak, who was appointed to his position under the previous government led by ousted President Bashar al-Assad, continues to carry out his work at the UN.
"The Syrian Permanent Mission to the United Nations continues its work as part of the state institutions in the country, and we represent the interests of the Syrian people and will continue to do so," he explained.
"We are working with the current prime minister and foreign minister and are waiting for a new government," he added.
Notably, Bassam al-Sabbagh, the foreign minister, and Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali are still operating out of Damascus, collaborating with the Syrian transitional government to finalize the handover.
Earlier, the leader of the internationally designated terror organization Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, also known as Ahmaad al-Sharaa, appointed Mohammad al-Bashir to form and head the transitional government.
Read more: Netanyahu says occupied Syrian Golan Heights Israeli 'for eternity'
