Geir Pedersen says Syria is at a ‘watershed second’, acknowledges ‘immense’ challenges forward.
Geir Pedersen, the United Nations particular envoy for Syria, has expressed “cautious hope” after opposition fighters declared the rule of President Bashar al-Assad had come to an finish.
Opposition forces on Sunday said that they had “liberated” the capital, Damascus, in a fast-moving offensive that noticed them seize management of a number of cities.
Whereas al-Assad’s whereabouts stay unknown, opposition fighters said his prime minister, Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali, would supervise state establishments till they had been handed over.
In a press release in a while Monday, Pedersen described the long-running struggle in Syria as a “darkish chapter” that “has left deep scars”, including: “At present we glance ahead with cautious hope to the opening of a brand new one – considered one of peace, reconciliation, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians.”
“At present marks a watershed second in Syria’s historical past – a nation that has endured almost 14 years of relentless struggling and unspeakable loss,” he stated, extending his “deepest solidarity to all who’ve borne the burden of dying, destruction, detention and untold human rights violations”.
The Syrian struggle began as a largely unarmed rebellion towards al-Assad in March 2011, however morphed right into a full-blown struggle that dragged in overseas powers, killed lots of of 1000’s of individuals and turned hundreds of thousands into refugees.
Al-Assad’s reported flight from Damascus comes lower than two weeks after armed opposition teams, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched an offensive difficult greater than 5 many years of domination by the al-Assad household.
Al-Assad had dominated Syria since 2000, when he inherited energy from his father.
Pedersen acknowledged that “the challenges forward stay immense”, stressing, nonetheless: “This can be a second to embrace the opportunity of renewal … [and] a path towards a united and peaceable Syria.”
The UN particular envoy emphasised, “The clear want expressed by hundreds of thousands of Syrians that secure and inclusive transitional preparations are put in place, that Syrian establishments proceed to operate.”
He stated Syrian folks ought to be helped to understand their “legit aspirations … [to] restore a unified Syria”.
The assertion stated Pedersen had heard from many Syrians, together with armed teams and civil society organisations, and had famous “a will to guard their fellow Syrians … towards retribution and hurt”.
He appealed to all armed events to “preserve … legislation and order, shield civilians and protect public establishments”.
Pedersen additionally known as on Syrians “to prioritise dialogue, unity and respect for worldwide humanitarian legislation and human rights as they search to rebuild their society”.
“There have to be a collective effort to safe peace and dignity for all.”
