Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy, emphasized the importance of Syria’s new leadership fulfilling its promises to respect the rights of all religious and ethnic groups in the country. Speaking in Damascus, he acknowledged the mix of hope and fear among Syrians and called for efforts from all parties to ensure stability. The recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime by a rebel coalition led by HTS, a formerly jihadist extremist group, has raised concerns and skepticism among Syrians about the new leadership. Pedersen highlighted the need for cooperation and inclusivity in the transition process, urging HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to work with various factions and civil society groups for the success of the transition. The international community stands ready to support Syria, with hopes of lifting sanctions and removing HTS from the terrorist list, contingent on the behavior of the new leadership. Pedersen also expressed concerns about Israel’s actions in the Golan Heights and the complex power dynamics in northern Syria, emphasizing the need for stability and the return of refugees. The process of rebuilding Syria and addressing past injustices must be handled carefully to prevent further unrest. Si HTS mantiene sus promesas, “en las próximas semanas y meses hay esperanza de que Siria pueda tener un futuro brillante”, dijo.
Advertió que si eso no sucede, “también hay peligro de nuevas luchas e incluso guerra civil.”
“Pero debemos apostar que el futuro de Siria ahora se puede arreglar. Y que podemos comenzar el proceso de curación.”
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