United Nations published this video item, entitled “Syria: restore sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity – Security Council Briefing” – below is their description.
Virtual briefing by Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, on the Situation in the Middle East (Syria), during the Security Council Open VTC. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said, “a political deal to implement 2254 is indeed the way to restore Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and meet the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians. Without that, dangers will only accrue.” Speaking from Beirut via a video link today (27 Oct), Pedersen told the Security Council that he has said from the outset of his mandate, nearly two years ago, that the Syrian conflict cannot be resolved solely by a constitutional reform or a new constitution, however, progress in the Constitutional Committee could be a door opener to a deeper and wider process. He stated that it is particularly important for the Constitutional Committee to proceed in accordance with the agreement that established it, which was circulated by the Secretary-General to the Security Council as document S/2019/775 and guides the Committee. Pedersen said, “in particular, the Co-Chairs should in consensus proceed with agendas and workplans in a way that enable all issues to be considered, without making consideration of issues dependent on agreement on other issues and without preconditions.” The Special Envoy continued, “the Committee should work expeditiously and continuously to produce results and continued progress without foreign interference, including externally imposed timelines; and focus exclusively on its mandate: to prepare and draft for popular approval a constitutional reform.” Pedersen also noted, “beyond the Constitutional Committee, there are positive elements on which we could build a wider process.” He said, “some key stakeholders have signaled that they see the military phase of the conflict as ending, renewing attention and focus on the political process. Front-lines that have not shifted in around 8 months. And the number of civilians killed in recent months has, according to monitoring groups, been at lowest levels since 2011.”
United Nations YouTube Channel
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