Damascus - New York: Europe and the Arabs
Geir Pedersen, the UN envoy to Syria, said that there is a strong international consensus on the need to support the new Syria and the success of the political transition process. He stressed the importance of a comprehensive transition that leads to the development of a new constitution and the holding of free and fair elections within the framework of a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that restores the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and achieves the legitimate aspirations of the people. According to what was stated in the UN daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received on Thursday morning

During his second visit to the country since the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, Pedersen met with a wide range of Syrians - including the caretaker authorities - and said that he listened carefully to their messages.
At a press conference in the Syrian capital, Damascus, Pedersen referred to his meeting with Ahmad al-Shara, head of the caretaker authorities, on Monday, where they discussed seven key challenges:

First, uniting the armed factions under one national army, second, the situation in northeastern Syria, third, protecting all Syrians, fourth, the political transition, fifth, the issue of transitional justice, sixth, the issue of sanctions, economic recovery and reconstruction, and seventh, the Israeli presence.

Pedersen welcomed the many clear commitments and messages that were expressed to the Syrian people and the United Nations. He said: “I think we understood the priorities and ideas regarding the political transition and areas of cooperation with the United Nations, and certainly Mr. al-Shara’s call for the international community to come and support them in the critical areas.”

The UN envoy stressed that the United Nations will work with the Syrian people and the international community to ensure that this support is provided. He said that he will spend some time in Syria, expressing his hope to continue discussions with the caretaker authorities.
Pedersen welcomed the authorities’ emphasis on rejecting revenge and protecting all Syrians, and stressed the need to emphasize these messages to reassure the Syrian people. He also welcomed the clear assurances he had heard from the authorities about moving towards a new inclusive phase.

“This is what is really needed. We need to move on the path, from the current realities that were created in emergency conditions to an inclusive, transparent, effective and credible political process. Of course, a key element in that is the formation of a single national Syrian army, because that is vital for stability.”

Pederson turned to the situation in northeastern Syria, “which could be a serious challenge for the new Syria,” and called on all parties to seize the opportunity to move forward.

He also stressed the importance of holding the national dialogue and the national conference, saying that how they are held is up to the Syrians and that ideas are still evolving in this regard. He stressed the importance of proper and careful preparation for that process.