UN envoy urges inclusive Syrian transition in talks with new leader Sharaa

The United Nations' Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for an inclusive Syrian political transition during a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria's new administration, which recently ousted President Bashar al-Assad. 

The meeting, held in Damascus, highlighted ongoing diplomatic efforts tied to U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, passed in 2015 to support a Syrian-led political process, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Pedersen stressed the need for a "credible and inclusive" political transition based on Resolution 2254, which envisions a non-sectarian government, a new constitution, and free elections. He emphasized the importance of the U.N.'s continued role in assisting Syria’s recovery and political transformation.

In a separate statement, Ahmed al-Sharaa called for an update to Resolution 2254, claiming it no longer aligns with the “new reality” of the country following Assad's removal. Sharaa, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), noted the importance of cautious progress toward rebuilding Syria, focusing on unity, reconstruction, and economic development.

He underscored the need for careful and precise steps in the transition process and the rehabilitation of Syrian institutions.

The former leader of HTS — a group formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda until 2016—emphasized the necessity of a safe environment for the return of refugees, with the focus on achieving political stability and economic recovery.

Sharaa's meeting with Pedersen marked a significant moment in Syria’s evolving political landscape. Pedersen, appointed as the U.N. envoy in 2018, briefed Sharaa on the outcome of an international meeting convened in Jordan over the weekend.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that she had instructed the EU's top diplomat for Syria to engage directly with Syria's new government. The shift in power comes amidst reports that Russia, which has been a staunch ally of the Assad regime, is withdrawing some of its military presence in northern Syria, though it remains committed to its key bases.

By Khagan İsayev