The Russian-American debate in the Security Council about the parliamentary elections in Syria

ARK News... Washington described last week's legislative elections in Syria as a "false pretext" by the Assad regime "to undermine the United Nations-led political process," referring to "credible reports" that polling staff was distributing ballots already filled with the names of Baath party candidates, while Moscow considered that what happened confirms that "the legislative structures of the executive branch (operate normally)" in this country.

These positions came during a video session of the Security Council, during which he heard a briefing from the United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, who first indicated that he was looking forward to the resumption of the work of the Constitutional Committee within the next month.

"We need to see real progress and real negotiations. Not to take photos and electoral opportunities far from being free and fair," said US Representative Kelly Kraft, adding that President Donald Trump's administration sees the July 19 legislative elections, "exactly a false pretext to undermine the United Nations-led political process, and one of a long series of polls run by the Assad regime, in which the Syrian people have no real options to determine their leaders. "
She revealed that "the United States has received credible reports that poll workers have distributed ballot papers already filled with the names of Baath party candidates," knowing that "Syrians residing outside the country - who make up about a quarter of Syria's population before the revolution - were not allowed to vote."

She added, “The elections in Syria must be free and fair, supervised by the United Nations, and include the participation of the Syrian community in the diaspora. The Council must unite in our demand for any future Syrian elections in line with Resolution 2254, and that the work of the Constitutional Committee moves to draft a constitution. A new Syrian, forward without delay. "

And her French counterpart Nicolas de Riviere confirmed that "the only legitimate political process is taking place in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations," calling for the talks to resume as soon as possible in preparation for the third meeting of the Constitutional Committee, according to "the Middle East".

On the other hand; Russian delegate Vasily Nebenzia referred to the holding of legislative elections in Syria, explaining that it is "the third electoral cycle that the country has gone through since the beginning of the war, and claimed that" by organizing the elections, the Syrian authorities ensure that the legislative and executive structures of the government operate normally. "

Noting the relaunching of the Constitutional Committee, that urging everyone to "support the political process by engaging with the Syrian parties and encouraging them for constructive dialogue." He believed that "the only way to bring peace and stability to Syria is to put all of its territories under the control of Damascus and to promote a political settlement through a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue for all groups of the Syrian population. For this to happen as soon as possible, we must spare no effort."

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