Pedersen Calls for "Free and Fair" Elections Following the Transitional Period in Syria
December 18, 2024, 3:44 pm

الشرع وبيدرسن يبحثان مستقبل سوريا السياسي

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called from Damascus on Wednesday for organizing "free and fair" elections as the anticipated transitional period approaches in three months. He expressed hope for reaching a "political solution" with the Kurdish self-administration.

Pedersen concluded his visit to Damascus, where he met on Sunday with Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, known as Ahmad al-Shara.

In statements to journalists outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, Pedersen clarified: "We now see a new beginning for Syria, which will rely, according to Security Council Resolution 2254, on a new constitution that constitutes a social contract for all Syrians, and we expect free and fair elections to be held in due course after the transitional period."

Pedersen emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and underscored the importance of rebuilding Syria and enhancing economic recovery, expressing hope for the initiation of a process to lift imposed sanctions.

He added, "The political transition must include broad representation from the Syrian community and parties." He noted that there is stability in Damascus but added that challenges remain in some areas, particularly the situation in the northeast of the country.

Pedersen expressed satisfaction with the extension of the ceasefire, considering it a positive step, while hoping for a lasting political solution to these issues.

In a related context, the United States announced on Tuesday the successful mediation in extending the ceasefire between Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish fighters in the Manbij area, indicating its efforts to develop a broader understanding with Ankara.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the ceasefire in Manbij, which had expired, "has been extended until the end of the week," confirming that Washington will work to prolong the ceasefire as much as possible in the future.

Despite the Kurdish self-administration's readiness to engage in dialogue with the new authority in Damascus, the military commander of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, Marhaf Abu Qasrah, known as Abu Hasan al-Hamwi, declared that areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces will be incorporated into the new administration, asserting that "Syria will not be fragmented and there will be no federations."

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