A delegation from the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) held a meeting on Monday with the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, and his team in the Syrian capital, Damascus. The meeting discussed the latest developments in Syria across all sectors.
At the beginning of the meeting, the SNC delegation, which included several members of the Commission, extended congratulations to the Syrian people for their remarkable victories achieved through 14 years of struggle since the revolution began. The delegation also recognized the long-standing efforts of the Syrian opposition in previous decades, during which the Syrian people made significant sacrifices and shed blood in their pursuit of freedom, liberation from tyranny, and the establishment of a free and dignified homeland.
The Commission emphasized the urgent need to provide immediate humanitarian aid to Syrians, highlighting the destruction of the state, economy, and infrastructure by the Assad regime. They stressed the importance of advancing accountability, justice, and transitional justice to address violations committed during the regime’s war, violence, and crimes. Transitional justice, they noted, is not limited to holding regime figures accountable but also involves measures to prevent the recurrence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria.
The SNC delegation discussed the current Syrian situation from security and political perspectives, focusing on UN Security Council Resolution 2254. They described it as a feasible and broadly acceptable roadmap that excludes the former regime in any form.
The delegation clarified that implementing UN Resolution 2254 presupposes the regime’s removal, leaving no entity capable of obstructing its execution. The process would rely on the revolution forces, which represent the political, civil, and military components of Syrian society. The delegation highlighted the importance of completing this process swiftly through a Syrian-led and owned political process, facilitated but not controlled by the UN, which would provide consultation and logistical support.
The SNC delegation expressed hope that the UN Special Envoy would help facilitate dialogue among all Syrian parties to establish a participatory transitional governing body. This body would ensure a safe and neutral environment, leading to the formation of a committee of legal experts to draft a modern constitution for Syria and paving the way for free and fair elections under UN supervision.
For his part, the UN Special Envoy briefed the delegation on the meetings he has held and those planned in Damascus. He exchanged ideas on advancing the political process, mechanisms for forming a transitional governing body, and ways to activate dialogue among Syrian parties.
Pedersen underscored the need for a comprehensive and credible political transition led and owned by Syrians, in line with the principles of Security Council Resolution 2254. He reiterated the UN’s commitment to providing all possible support to the Syrian people.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
