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STORY: UN / GUTERRES SYRIA
TRT: 2:46
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 05 DECEMBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters
05 DECEMBER 2024, NEW YORK
2. Wide shot, Guterres at the podium
3. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations:
“I just spoke with President Erdoğan of Türkiye to discuss the latest. I emphasized the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need – and a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed. All parties are obligated under international law to protect civilians. This latest offensive was launched into Government-controlled areas by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – a group sanctioned by the Security Council, along with a broad range of other armed opposition groups. It has led to significant shifts in the frontlines. Tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in a region already on fire. We are seeing the bitter fruits of a chronic collective failure of previous de-escalation arrangements to produce a genuine nationwide ceasefire or a serious political process to implement Security Council resolutions. This must change. After fourteen years of conflict, it is high time for all parties to engage seriously with Geir Pedersen, my Special Envoy for Syria, to finally chart a new, inclusive and comprehensive approach to resolving this crisis in line with Security Council resolution 2254. It is time for serious dialogue. In other words, restoring Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity -- and meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. Syria is a crossroads of civilization. It is painful to see its progressive fragmentation. During my tenure as High Commissioner for Refugees, I witnessed the immense generosity of the Syrian opening their hearts and their homes to countless Iraqi refugees. There were no refugee camps in Syria. Refugees lived among the Syrian people. It breaks my heart to see their suffering grow – along with the threats to regional, and indeed, international security. I once again urge all those with influence to do their part for the long-suffering people of Syria.”
4. Wide shot, Guterres leaving the podium
Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized “the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need – and a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed" in Syria.
Guterres today (05 Dec) spoke to reporters in New York after his call with President Erdoğan of Türkiye with whom he discussed the latest development in Syria.
The UN chief reiterated, “All parties are obligated under international law to protect civilians.”
The latest offensive was launched into Government-controlled areas by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – a group sanctioned by the Security Council, along with a broad range of other armed opposition groups, Guterres said.
“It has led to significant shifts in the frontlines. Tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in a region already on fire,” the UN chief added.
Guterres continued, “We are seeing the bitter fruits of a chronic collective failure of previous de-escalation arrangements to produce a genuine nationwide ceasefire or a serious political process to implement Security Council resolutions,” reiterating “ this must change.”
The Secretary-General said that after fourteen years of conflict, it is high time for all parties to engage seriously with Geir Pedersen, his Special Envoy for Syria, “to finally chart a new, inclusive and comprehensive approach to resolving this crisis in line with Security Council resolution 2254.”
He said, “It is time for serious dialogue.”
In other words, Guterres explained, “restoring Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity -- and meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.”
“Syria is a crossroads of civilization. It is painful to see its progressive fragmentation,” recalling his tenure as High Commissioner for Refugees, Guterres said he “witnessed the immense generosity of the Syrian opening their hearts and their homes to countless Iraqi refugees.”
He added, “There were no refugee camps in Syria. Refugees lived among the Syrian people.”
The UN chief expressed, “It breaks my heart to see their suffering grow – along with the threats to regional, and indeed, international security.”
Guterres concluded by once again urging all those with influence to do their part for the long-suffering people of Syria.
