UN envoy urges action to prevent Syria's collapse during crisis talks
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Geir Pedersen, the UN's special envoy for Syria, has urged international powers to take swift action to prevent the collapse of Syria's critical institutions following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.
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Geir Pedersen, the United Nations' new special envoy for Syria, gestures while speaking to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, back to a camera, during their talks in Moscow, Russia, on January 21, 2019. (AP)
Geir Pedersen, the UN's special envoy for Syria, called on foreign powers to prevent the collapse of Syria's critical institutions in the aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad's downfall.
The appeal came during a crisis conference held in Aqaba, Jordan, where diplomats from the US, Arab nations, Turkey, and the EU gathered to discuss the ongoing crisis.
Pedersen emphasized the importance of safeguarding state institutions and ensuring the swift delivery of humanitarian aid.
"We need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible," Pedersen said, adding, "If we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people."
During a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Pedersen reiterated his support for a "credible and inclusive" political process to establish Syria's next government. Blinken, who has been engaging with leaders in Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq, underscored the importance of an "inclusive" solution that represents Syria's diverse ethnic and religious communities.
Blinken also highlighted the UN's essential role, stating that the organization "plays a critical role" in providing humanitarian aid and protecting minorities in Syria.
Syrian interim government calls on UNSC to force 'Israel' to withdraw
Earlier today, Syria's interim government urged the UN Security Council to take measures to force "Israel" to halt its attacks on Syrian territory and withdraw from northern areas it has entered, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, reported the Associated Press.
In identical letters to the UN Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, Syria’s UN Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak stated he was acting "on instructions from my government" in issuing the demands.
Earlier this week, Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Qusay al-Dahhak, called on the 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 regime 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.
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.
