Leader of HTS in Syria Engages with UN Envoy on Political Transition
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In Damascus, on December 16, (NationPress) the head of Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Ahmad al-Shara, convened with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to engage in discussions regarding the political transition in the nation, as stated by the local news source al-Watan Online.
Al-Shara, recognized by the alias Abu Mohammed al-Julani, articulated that the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, enacted in 2015 concerning Syria's political transition, necessitates an update to mirror the present-day realities in the region. He called for a "fresh approach" that corresponds with Syria's new leadership and changing circumstances, according to the Xinhua news agency.
During their discussions, al-Shara emphasized the significance of "swift and effective" collaboration to meet the needs of Syrian citizens, restore the country’s territorial integrity, and facilitate reconstruction and economic growth.
He also highlighted the requirement for "careful, deliberate steps" in the rehabilitation of state institutions to achieve the establishment of a "strong and efficient" governance framework.
The HTS leader committed to fostering a secure environment for the repatriation of refugees, asserting that these initiatives are being executed with "great caution" and are overseen by specialized teams to ensure the best outcomes for the nation’s future.
Pedersen, in turn, remarked that the UN is vigilantly observing the swiftly changing circumstances in the country and is eager to witness the forthcoming steps toward a political transition following the removal of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
In remarks to journalists earlier in the day in Damascus, Pedersen underscored the necessity for Syrian state institutions to fully resume their functions under secure conditions.
"We are collaborating with all segments of the Syrian population...and we aim to prevent any acts of revenge. Instead, we must ensure that institutions are reinstated, supported by essential security measures," he stated.
