DAMASCUS, Syria, March 18 (NNN-SANA) – New UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, said that, he is concentrating on moving forward in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, about a political settlement in Syria.
Speaking to reporters upon arriving in Damascus, Pedersen said, he is looking forward to his discussion with Syrian government officials.
“I am looking very much forward to my discussion with the government here. We will always concentrate on how we can move forward in the implementation of the Security Council’s Resolution 2254, which is my mandate, and hopefully, that could lead to a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process facilitated by the United Nations,” he said.
The UNSC Resolution 2254 was unanimously adopted on Dec 18, 2015. It calls for a cease-fire and political settlement.
The new envoy prepared to hold talks with Syrian Foreign Ministry officials in Damascus, saying that, he will discuss the briefing he made at the UN Security Council last month.
Pedersen vowed at the UN Security Council, to work “impartially and diligently to discharge the mandate given to me, in Security Council Resolution 2254, to facilitate the political process” in late Feb.
It will require the cooperation of all Syrian and international parties, the readiness of all to deal seriously with the realities of the conflict, and to work together to move things step by step, in a positive direction, he said.
Resolution 2254 contains all the elements required for a political solution, adding that, the resolution begins by respecting the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, and provides a road map for a truly Syrian-led and owned political process.
This is a key, as a real peace process in Syria needs to be owned by the Syrians, he said.– NNN-SANA
