UN envoy underlines need for inclusive political transition in Syria

Damascus, Dec 18: The United Nations special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, said Wednesday that he sees hope for a “new Syria” developing in the aftermath of the country’s recent political upheaval while acknowledging the formidable challenges that remain.

Speaking to reporters in Damascus after days of meetings, Pedersen noted that he had conferred with leaders from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), other armed factions, representatives of the Syrian National Coalition, as well as families of the detained and missing, civil society figures, and women activists.

“It’s only been 11 days since HTS and other groups entered Damascus, so it’s early days,” Pedersen said, Xinhua news agency reported.

“But there is a lot of hope that we can now see the beginning of a new Syria -- one that, in line with Security Council Resolution 2254, adopts a new constitution ensuring a social contract for all Syrians and eventually holds free and fair elections after a transitional period,” he remarked.

Pedersen underscored that the conflict is not over. While Damascus is relatively stable, some areas remain unsettled, particularly in Kurdish-controlled areas in the northeast. He welcomed the recent renewal of a truce there, urging a political solution and warning that the region’s issues must be addressed to secure lasting peace.