Damascus - New York: Europe and the Arabs
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen stressed the importance of supporting the political transition in Syria, noting that the situation remains extremely fragile despite recent developments. This came during a meeting held by the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Syria, attended for the first time by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani (Interim Authorities).
Al-Shibani, along with a number of diplomats and UN Envoy Geir Pedersen, witnessed the raising of the three-star Syrian flag among the flags of member states at UN Headquarters in New York, prior to the Council meeting. According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning, Saturday, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen stressed the importance of supporting the political transition in Syria. He said that the participation of Syrian Minister Al-Shibani in today's Security Council session reflects the significant developments that Syria has witnessed in recent months. He expressed his appreciation for his commitment to promoting regional stability and constructive engagement at the international level. Only four and a half months have passed since the fall of the former regime, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Syria's history. Pedersen said that much has been achieved that deserves praise and support, "but the challenges remain enormous, and the situation remains extremely fragile. There is a need for greater political inclusion and more work on the economic front."
He noted that with a radical change in these two elements, the political transition in Syria can succeed. "Without them, it is unlikely to succeed, with dire consequences."
He emphasized that the United Nations is working to facilitate and support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process, in accordance with the mandate granted by Security Council Resolution 2254, expressing his hope that the Council will continue to support this process. A Strong Desire for the Success of the Political Transition
Pederson saluted the Syrian people, who he said clearly demonstrate—in the midst of ongoing suffering, uncertainty, and numerous risks—their strong desire for the success of this political transition. “The heavy legacy of poor governance, conflict, abuses, and poverty that Syria seeks to overcome is among the most difficult to overcome for any country or people anywhere in modern times,” he emphasized.
He emphasized that the essential elements for addressing this fragility are clear: genuine political inclusion that enables all Syrians to actively participate in shaping the country’s political future; combating extremism and terrorism; and genuine support from the international community to enable this transition to succeed despite all the difficulties.
Transition at a Crossroads
On the other hand, Pedersen said that the political transition in Syria is “at a critical juncture,” noting that the Constitutional Declaration has partially filled the legal vacuum that existed before its issuance. Syria has transitioned from a caretaker government to a “new, expanded, and more diverse government.”
However, Pedersen says that this framework still lacks a full inclusiveness for the political transition. "This leaves many Syrians uncertain about their place in the emerging new Syria. Power is concentrated, and plans for establishing the rule of law, a new social contract, and ultimately free and fair elections remain unclear."
He added that many women are concerned about societal and political trends—"only one woman is among the 22 ministers in the current government. Many communities in Syria are still suffering from the effects of the violence that occurred in the Sahel in March, which negatively impacted confidence-building."
He expressed appreciation for the "frank and substantive" discussion he said he had about these challenges with interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus about two weeks ago, based on several meetings he had held with him.
Separately, Pedersen warned that "the ongoing Israeli violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity undermine the transition process." He stressed the need for Israeli attacks to stop. He also renewed his call for full respect for the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, calling on the Security Council to hold Israel to its pledge not to seek territorial gains in Syria. "Israel must withdraw and respect Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and independence."
Syria
Interim Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani said that his country's flag raised today at the permanent headquarters "is not just a symbol, but a declaration of a new existence born of suffering, embodying a future born of resilience, and a promise of change after years of pain."
He added that his country's story has been linked for decades to "the cruelty of the Assad regime, whose actions have not only caused profound humanitarian tragedies for the Syrian people but have also allowed "destabilizing forces to take root in our homeland."
He emphasized that Syria has finally begun to "catch its breath" after 50 years of oppression and has opened its doors to the world, including by granting international organizations and human rights institutions access to its territory. He said that Syrian men and women had achieved the "impossible" in the past four months through unprecedented cooperation, including preserving state institutions, forming a transitional government, unifying military factions, which had been dissolved "all without exception," and initiating constitutional steps toward genuine reform. A national dialogue was also launched, "in which, for the first time, nearly 1,000 Syrians met in the presidential palace." He said that those demanding more from Syria "are the same ones who insist on maintaining many of the sanctions against it," stressing that lifting them "could be a decisive step that contributes to transforming Syria from a country known for its dark past into an active and strong partner in peace, prosperity, and the international economy. Syria's stability concerns not only us as Syrians, but also the stability of the entire region."

For her part, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya said that the complex challenges facing Syria are occurring amid "one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world," with nearly three-quarters of the population living in poverty, more than half facing food insecurity, and some seven million people still displaced within the country.
While welcoming the significant reduction in hostilities, Ms. Msuya emphasized the need for a clear focus on "de-escalating conflict where it persists and ensuring the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure."
Ms. Msuya noted that UNHCR expects to reduce its team in Syria by 30 percent, and that 122 of its community centers will close by the summer without funding, "at a time when the need to support refugee returns is growing."
She added that the World Food Programme has warned that it needs $100 million to avoid a food aid cutoff in August, and that many NGOs—particularly in northeastern Syria—are facing an alarming shortage of resources. Ms. Msuya emphasized the need to maintain the "momentum of investment" in Syria's recovery and development. "Without this, the scale of humanitarian needs will far outpace our capacity to respond," she said. "Millions of refugees and internally displaced persons who have expressed a desire to return to their homes will continue to be deterred by the lack of basic services and livelihood opportunities, and the hope of seizing this crucial opportunity to build a more prosperous future is at risk of fading."
United States
Charge Affaires of the United States Mission to the United Nations, Dorothy Shea, expressed hope that the formation of the interim government would represent a positive step, saying, "We expect to see additional action and the appointment of more qualified and representative individuals to serve in key positions."
She added, "As we have repeatedly made clear, we will hold the Syrian interim authorities accountable for the following steps: fully renouncing and suppressing terrorism, adopting a policy of non-aggression against neighboring states, excluding foreign terrorist fighters from any official roles, preventing Iran and its proxies from exploiting Syrian territory, destroying weapons of mass destruction, helping to recover missing American citizens in Syria, and ensuring the security and freedom of all Syrians."
She said the Syrian people also deserve transparent and accountable leadership that is fully committed to a more peaceful and prosperous future after "54 years of destructive rule under the Assad regime."
She noted her country's announcement that it would strengthen its military bases in Syria, noting that this decision reflects "the significant progress the United States has made with our partners... in reducing ISIS's operational capacity regionally and globally."
Russia
Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, stressed that calls to respect Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty must not remain "mere empty slogans" and must be practically adhered to by all countries, including Syria's neighbors. He stressed the importance of ensuring Israel's return to implementing the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, halting its bombing of Syrian territory, and withdrawing its forces from the country, "especially since Damascus has repeatedly affirmed its readiness to build constructive relations with all its neighbors without exception."
Nebenzia noted that Syria's coastal areas have yet to recover from the recent tragic events, and said that the results of the fact-finding mission's work "will form the basis for future relations between Damascus and the Alawite community, as well as other ethnic and religious minorities."
The Russian ambassador emphasized that there is no alternative to an inclusive political process, led by all Syrians and supported by the United Nations. He added, "A Syria in which every ethnic or religious group does not feel oppressed or marginalized, and in which it is adequately represented in the security and power structures, will be immune to any attempts to undermine its sovereignty or territorial integrity."
He said that there can be no place in the country for "foreign terrorist fighters with blood on their hands who have nothing to do with the Syrian people."