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8520th Security Council Meeting: Situation in Middle East
Briefing the Security Council on a range of priorities today, Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen detailed efforts to build trust among warring parties, facilitate the creation of a constitutional committee and clarify the fate of persons missing since the start of the conflict, now in its eighth year.
Describing efforts to open the door to a political process in Geneva for Syria’s Government and opposition, he said that after eight years of fighting, “this process will be long and difficult”, but nonetheless possible. He is committed to engaging the Government and the Syrian Negotiations Commission in a sustained comprehensive dialogue — the foundation of a Syrian-led and -owned process.
The fate of tens of thousands of persons missing must also be clarified and his Office is elaborating procedures for compiling, consolidating, safeguarding and exchanging information, as well as undertaking searches. “The scale of this issue is of unprecedented proportions,” he said, requiring months, if not years, of meticulous work. He also called for faster action on the release of detainees and abductees, pressing both sides to ensure their protection.
More broadly, he said the convening of a constitutional committee could unlock a broader political process if approached in the right spirit. He continues to work towards a final agreement on its composition and terms of reference. Many earlier differences have been narrowed and an understanding clarified on: balanced co-chairing arrangements; a formula for decision-making; shared acceptance of the United Nations facilitation role; and a political commitment to the safety of all involved.
In the ensuing debate, delegates agreed that the constitutional committee must be balanced in its formation and work methods, with the United Kingdom’s delegate recalling that resolution 2254 (2015) set a deadline of six months — 34 months ago — for a schedule to draft a new constitution. “We really can’t allow Syrian authorities to drag this out indefinitely,” she said, calling on those with influence to encourage the Syrian regime to engage in the political progress.
Along similar lines, the United States representative said the Council must remain united behind the Geneva negotiations as the single path forward. While a balanced and credible constitutional committee will be an important first step and a possible confidence-building measure, work must also continue on the issues of detainees and missing persons, elections and the maintenance of a safe and stable environment.
The Russian Federation’s delegate meanwhile described the outcome of the most recent meeting of the Astana guarantors — Iran, Turkey and his own country. As the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terror group has intensified attacks against Government forces in Idlib, the guarantors are committed to implementing agreements on stabilizing that governorate.
In turn, France’s delegate pressed the Russian Federation to abide by its ceasefire commitments in Idlib and urged Syria’s Government to end its strikes in the north-west. A credible political process involves a nationwide ceasefire, confidence-building measures and the conduct of free and fair elections, he asserted.
Also speaking today were representatives of Kuwait, Dominican Republic, Peru, Belgium, Indonesia, China, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Poland, Côte d’Ivoire and Germany.
The meeting began at 3:09 p.m. and ended at 4:48 p.m.
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