Egypt Daily News – The United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, said on Tuesday that there are armed factions operating outside the command of military operations in Syria.
Pedersen added that stability in Syria is still fragile, and that displacement from some areas continues. The UN envoy confirmed that he is working with various Syrian parties regarding the future of the country, and that the political transition process in Syria faces challenges that must be overcome.
Pedersen stressed that the United Nations does not want to see any armed faction operating outside the framework of the Syrian state, expressing his concern about the possibility of the outbreak of new armed conflicts in Syria, especially in Aleppo.
In addition, Geir Pedersen said that the Israeli attacks in Syria undermine the political transition, calling on Israel to stop settlement activities inside Syria.
In his speech, the UN envoy called for the necessity of protecting civilians and a ceasefire throughout Syria, noting that the transitional process must result in an inclusive government.
Pedersen pointed out that the principles of Resolution 2254 regarding Syria must be adhered to, with the possibility of developing it, noting in the same context that the Syrians need a transitional process that preserves state institutions.
The UN official also expressed his concern about an imminent military escalation in northeastern Syria, and said that the Syrians expressed a clear desire to stop any military escalation. Pedersen called for holding fair and free elections that include all Syrians, and the necessity of preparing a new constitution in Syria.
