Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoUN / SYRIA PEDERSEN
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: UN / SYRIA PEDERSEN
TRT: 02:59
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / ARABIC / NATS
DATELINE: 20 DECEMBER 2019, NEW YORK CITY / RECENT
RECENT - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior UN Headquarters
20 DECEMBER 2019, NEW YORK CITY
2. Med shot, civil society representative Rajaa Altalli
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria:
“One year ago, many believed that the Syrian conflict was winding down, yet the past 12 months have seen a steady stream of violence, punctuated by escalations, that continue to this day, across many areas of Syria – such as the northwest, the northeast and the south. Proscribed terrorist groups have also not been defeated and continue to pose a major security threat. All of this serves as a constant, grim reminder that the need for a comprehensive political process, as mandated by this Council in resolution 2254, is more pressing than ever.”
4. Wide shot, Council
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria:
“The devastating humanitarian cost of a full-scale military offensive for the 3 million people living in northwest Syria is a price we simply cannot afford to pay. All sides must de-escalate urgently. Civilians also continue to suffer in northeast Syria, where the security situation remains volatile, even if it is calmer relative to the days and weeks after Turkey first launched its intervention. It is crucial that the various ceasefire understandings negotiated between actors there are respected and lead to a sustained de-escalation in violence.”
6. Wide shot, Council
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria:
“I appreciate my open and direct dialogue with both Syrian parties – but if we are to take it to the next level, we need to address the full array of issues. We must enable de-escalation leading towards a nationwide ceasefire, as well as a cooperative, lawful approach to countering proscribed terrorist groups. As part of this dialogue, we must generate concrete action on detainees, abductees and missing persons. I think all of this could take shape for the benefit of all Syrians, like through a “steps for steps” approach.”
10. Wide shot, Council
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Louay Falouh, Minister Counsellor, Syrian Arab Republic:
“What we have heard from members of the Security Council, specifically the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, is a stark reflection of an interventionist and reckless policy in Syria. It is strikingly clear that the governments of these states as well as the regime in power in Turkey and other parties will continue to interfere in Syrian affairs."
12. Wide shot, Council
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, today (20 Dec) told the Security Council that in light of developments over the past year, “the need for a comprehensive political process as mandated by this Council in resolution 2254, is more pressing than ever.”
Pedersen noted that “one year ago, many believed that the Syrian conflict was winding down, yet the past 12 months have seen a steady stream of violence, punctuated by escalations, that continue to this day, across many areas of Syria.”
The Special Envoy said, “the devastating humanitarian cost of a full-scale military offensive for the 3 million people living in northwest Syria is a price we simply cannot afford to pay” and stressed that “all sides must de-escalate urgently.”
He said, “civilians also continue to suffer in northeast Syria, where the security situation remains volatile, even if it is calmer relative to the days and weeks after Turkey first launched its intervention.”
Pedersen added that “it is crucial that the various ceasefire understandings negotiated between actors there are respected and lead to a sustained de-escalation in violence.”
On the Constitutional Committee negotiations, he welcomed the “open and direct dialogue with both Syrian parties” but said “if we are to take it to the next level, we need to address the full array of issues. We must enable de-escalation leading towards a nationwide ceasefire, as well as a cooperative, lawful approach to countering proscribed terrorist groups.”
As part of this dialogue, he said, “we must generate concrete action on detainees, abductees and missing persons.”
Syrian Representative Louay Falouh, expressed support for Pedersen’s work but said, “what we have heard from members of the Security Council, specifically the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, is a stark reflection of an interventionist and reckless policy in Syria. It is strikingly clear that the governments of these states as well as the regime in power in Turkey and other parties will continue to interfere in Syrian affairs."
Negotiations for the Syrian Constitutional Committee were held in Geneva at the end of October and brought together 150 participants: 50 each nominated by the Government, opposition and civil society.
