The Special Envoy to Syria for the United Nations (UN) Geir Pedersen appealed to the UN Security Council to negotiate a political settlement to end the Syrian crisis which has been wearing out the country for ten years. According to Pedersen, no party to the conflict or third country can expect to structure the settlement according only to their own needs, as such a political solution must be the result of international diplomacy.
Meanwhile, the Syrian population’s suffering continues due to the war with 80 percent of the country’s citizens living in poverty, as estimated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of the Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Particular concern has been expressed by Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, regarding the living conditions in the Al-Hol camp, one of the most overcrowded and dangerous camps in north-east Syria. According to the organization, 93 percent of the residents of the camp are wives and children of extremists, living in precarious security conditions and in serious need of humanitarian aid.
Despite the urges of the Special Envoy, the UN Security Council was unable to agree on a joint statement due to the allegedly opposing position of the Russian Federation. In order to reach a final solution, Mr. Pedersen has claimed that he would continue his engagement with the Syrian National Council (SNC) and appealed to the importance of trust and confidence among the negotiating parties. The latter appears to be necessary to overcome the stalemate that prevents the effective implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2245 of 2015, which calls for a ceasefire and a political agreement to stabilize the country.
To know more, please visit:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1084272
http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/doc/2254
Author: Carla Leonetti; Editor: Francesca Mencuccini
