SYRIA

Geir O. Pedersen: Let me start by saying that what has happened in the last few days, no one, absolutely no one saw this coming. I believe even the armed groups that are now in control of Damascus have been surprised by what has happened. But of course, what we have seen is a watershed moment in Syria's history with President Assad and his government ousted from power, following what can only be called an extraordinary military offensive that saw Damascus fall within two weeks. 

And, of course, what we basically saw was that the military of the Assad regime collapsed. But and this is important, the situation is still moving fast. Syria is now at a crossroad with great opportunities, but also with grave risks. And we need really to look at both. 

We know that, of course, HTS is now the dominant group in control of Damascus. But it's important also to remember that they are not the only armed group in Damascus. After the fall of Aleppo, we saw a very broad range of armed opposition groups that mobilized, including, what we would call the Turkish backed Syrian National Army in the north, and the so-called former Southern Front that obviously came from the south, and also other groups that basically erupted, what I would call spontaneously as armed new formations. 

And let me now emphasize this, it's really an essential point, for now much of what some-called rebel-controlled Syria is under the control of what I would call a patchwork of groups, who are coordinating well, for now, but they are not fully or formally united. It's important that we don't see conflict between these groups. Let me also say that by and large, we have seen reassuring statements from the HTS and the different armed groups, but there are still some issues of law and order. 

But we are hopeful that it will be possible to keep law and order. But also let me mention this, the conflict in the northeast is not over. There have been clashes between the Syrian National Army, the opposition group, and the SDF. We are calling obviously for calm also in this area. 

And then a very troubling development, we are continuing to see Israeli movements and bombardments into Syrian territory. This needs to stop. This is extremely important. 

Let me then just give what I would call three key messages, we need to continue to stress the protection of civilians. I have appealed to the armed actors to maintain good contact, law and order, and to protect civilians in line with international humanitarian law, and preserve public institutions. 

And as I said, I heard positive statements from the HTS and the other armed groups that they intend to continue to reassure civilians that they want to be inclusive, especially with minorities. 

My second point linked to what I said a little bit earlier, we need to continue to work for de-escalation. We need to see a stop to the Israeli attacks, and we need to make sure that the conflict in the northeast stops. And we need to make sure that there are no conflicts developing between the different armed groups. 

But then, third, and this is perhaps today my most important message. We need to focus on the need for credible and transitional arrangements in Damascus. This means that there needs to be what I call orderly arrangements. But it also means, and this, of course, I don't need to repeat it, but it's extremely important, it needs to be inclusive arrangements. That is, ensuring the representation of the broadest possible spectrum of Syrians, of the Syrian society and the Syrian parties. And let me say that if this is not happening, then we risk new conflict in Syria. I believe that this is understood by all groups. But what we now we need to see as this is implemented on the ground in Syria. 

And it is my hope that if we do this, if we unite the Syrian parties, we bring together the different Syrian communities, then this could be the real beginning of something new for Syria. And importantly, I think then we would also see a united international community supporting the Syrian transition. Then we could start to look at lifting sanctions, increased humanitarian support, starting economic recovery. We could see the return of Syrian refugees or internally displaced returning to their homes, and we could start to see, as the High Commissioner for Human Rights mentioned yesterday, that justice is finally reached. All of this needs the cooperation of the international parties and the Syrian parties. And I can promise you that the United Nations will do whatever we can to help in this situation. 

Thank you so much.

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Question: Do you have any contact with HTS so far or the armed groups right now in Damascus. And how much do you hope to achieve with those groups, that you didn't achieve with the Assad regime? And the second quick one would be about the moves by a certain number of European countries, suspending or denying the, the refugee, seeking asylum process in Europe. Do you welcome those moves or do you think it is, too early to tell?

Question: I have a question also about HTS, this is the first time we have an ex- terrorist organization, I mean, it was Al-Qaeda in Syria that is taking the power in one country. What is your recommendation to all the countries that are considering HTS as terrorists? Do they have to speak with them? They are to clean them from the terrorist list. What is your concern for that?

Question: What is your plan for the next, and any kind of the discussions will be had in the new future.

Mr. Pedersen: Let me start with the question of HTS that is obviously a key question, but let me also emphasize they are not only, as I said, they are not only the armed group that are now in Damascus. So, as you all know, in Security Council resolution 2254, al-Nusra was listed as a terrorist organization. This is obviously a complicating factor for all of us. 

But we also have to be honest, we have to look at the facts and to see what has happened during the last nine years. It is now nine years since that the resolution was adopted, and the realities so far is that the HTS, and also the other armed groups have been sending good messages to the Syrian people. 

They have been sending messages of, unity, of inclusiveness. And frankly speaking, also, we have seen in Aleppo and in Hama, we have also seen, you know, reassuring things on the ground. But as I stated at the very beginning, there also have been challenges. 

On Sunday in particular in Damascus, there were lootings, there were robberies, there were, you know, the invasion of public buildings or private homes. But this seems to have stopped. And that is a good thing. But what we need now to see is, of course, that the good statements and what we are seeing on the ground at the beginning, that this is now followed up in practice in the days and the weeks ahead of us. And the most important test, the most important test will be how the transitional arrangements in Damascus is organized and implemented. 

This arrangement, as I am emphasized many times, needs to be inclusive if they are really inclusive of all the different groups and all the communities in Syria, as I said then there is the possibility for a new beginning. And then I do believe that the international community will look at the listing of HTS again, because then there is a real change that that happen. 

And you will also then, heard that there are discussions, and I think, Jolani himself mentioned this in an interview with the CNN that they are discussing the possibility of dismantling HTS. So again, let me emphasize, we are still in what I would call a very fluid period, things have not settled. There is a real opportunity for change, but this opportunity needs to be grasped by the Syrians themselves and supported by the UN and the international community.  

What I’m now telling you I think is an advice from the key, all key international actors, as Jenifer mentioned, I was in Doha, I discussed this with the of course, with the Turkish foreign minister, with the Russian, with the Iranian, but also with the Arab foreign ministers. And we all united behind this message that we need to see what they are saying, be implemented on the ground. 

And this is a huge challenge. And here also let me just link to what I said earlier about the Israeli attacks. Extremely important that we now don't see any action from any international actor that destroys the possibility for this transformation in Syria to take place. 

Then I think there was a question about the refugees. Let me here give a very strong appeal that the situation in Syria is still fluid. We need to be aware of that. Things have not consolidated. But at the same time, I know from speaking to Syrians all over that they are full of hope and optimism, and many do want to go back. 

Let me just mention one example to you. When I was leaving Doha, there was a Syrian family that came towards me. They were living in Sweden, and I said, Mr. Pedersen, you know, we are so hopeful. We know there are many challenges. We left Hama 10 years ago. We really want to go back. We hope it will be possible. And I think that is really something that many, many Syrians are hoping for to this day. But let's make sure that the international community, that we are helping them in this process because there are livelihoods challenges still in Syria, as you all know, the humanitarian situation is disastrous. The economy has collapsed. So, there is a lot of responsibilities that we really need to do. And we need to do that together. Thank you.

Question: One question about the process starting now, the political progress, you say it has to be inclusive, how far do you think members of the old regime should be, integrated in this process?

You mentioned Israel since your stakeout in Doha on Sunday have you have been, have you had any engagement with the Israeli authorities on the appeal that you're launching to cease the bombings and with any Syrian, group, have you have any direct engagement?

My request will be about Israel also, Israel has invaded the buffer zone, in the Golan Heights that it occupied after the collapse of Assad regime, in Syria. And there are also reports that says, Israel army has crossed this zone and entered Syrian territory.

My questions are, do you think that this step is against international law? And also, do you call on Israel to leave at the Syrians land that it occupied? 

Mr. Pedersen: Let me just start with the question about, the old regime. Of course, this is an extremely crucial question. And I think here you, I have noticed that what I'm what's coming up from Damascus is that there is a need for justice, but that there is also a need for working together with the with people who served within the government structure in Damascus. 

There is an appeal that state institutions should be kept and I, you know, and I think it was rather telling I just want to mention this - that when I briefed the Security Council yesterday, I received a message from the Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. And he was then addressing me on behalf of the authorities in Damascus. So that is still functioning. 

And my hope is that we will be able to see that this kind of cooperation is continuing. In other words, a focus on the need to keep state institutions and making sure, as I said, that all communities are included. And I think if these principles are followed, the Syrians would be able to sort out the distinctions between these different important questions. 

Then, as I said on Israel, I am not in contact, with the Israelis, but of course, the United Nations in New York, they are. And, you know, the peacekeepers on the Golan Heights are, of course, in daily contact with the Israelis. And of course, the message from New York is this is the same that what we are seeing is a violation of the disengagement agreement in 1974. 

So, we will obviously, together with other colleagues in New York, follow this extremely closely in the hours and days ahead. Listen, I really appreciate this opportunity to see you again. And let's hope for a better future for Syria. 

Jenifer Fenton, Spokesperson of the Special Envoy: Just in closing, the Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Ms. Najat Rochdi is currently convening the Humanitarian Task Force so will provide you with any notes from that meeting when it concludes. And we just also want to note that we have observed an increase in media freedom in many areas of Syria in recent days, including many of your colleagues. We acknowledge this development, and we urge all parties to respect media freedom and workers and journalists emphasizing that they are civilians who must be protected.

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