President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Nasr Al-Hariri, held a virtual meeting with the UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and discussed with her the latest developments in Syria.
In attendance were also Coordinator of the SOC’s Department of Foreign Relations, Abdulahad Asteipho, the SOC’s representative to the UN Maryam Shalabi, and the SOC’s Representative to the United States Qutaiba Idilbi.
Al-Hariri talked about the developments in the political process and the results of the fourth round of talks by the Constitutional Committee in Geneva. He said that the Assad regime continues to procrastinate and waste time with the aim of holding the upcoming presidential elections next year. He also said despite setting a date for the fifth round of talks by the Constitutional Committee, the SOC does not expect the talks to make any progress.
Al-Hariri stressed the need to start implementing UN Resolution 2254 and discussing all baskets laid out in this resolution in parallel. He suggested that the UN envoy, Geir Pedersen, invite the Syrian parties to Geneva to discuss the formation of a Transitional Governing Body (TGB), adding “it is about time to discuss the four baskets and not to ignore any of them.”
Al-Hariri pointed out that UN Security Council resolution 2254 is bigger than the Constitutional Committee, stressing that Russia cannot circumvent the implementation of the resolution or reduce it to only one of the four baskets. He said that the basket of governance is at the core of implementing UN resolution 2254 as it includes the establishment of a TGB with full executive powers.
Moreover, Al-Hariri stressed the need to start releasing the detainees, stressing that this issue must not be subjected to negotiations. He called on the UN to exert pressure on the Assad regime and Russia in this regard.
Al-Hariri touched upon the briefing the UN special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, has recently submitted to the UN Security Council, stressing that the term “reconciliatory justice” was never mentioned during the negotiating process. He also said that the term contradicts the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN resolutions, stressing the importance of accountability for the success of the political solution in the country.
Idilbi talked about the Rukban refugee camp and the extremely dire humanitarian conditions inside the camp, noting that the humanitarian support being provided to the camp is frequently interrupted. He stressed the need to find a permanent solution to the camp and alleviate the suffering of its residents.
For her part, DiCarlo expressed her disappointment at the lack of progress in the work of the Constitutional Committee as she reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to the political process in Syria and the full implementation of UN Resolution 2254. She indicated that she will discuss all issues with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
