Pedersen: There is no solution to the Syrian crisis on the horizon after a 13-year conflict

ARK News… The United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, stated that there is no political solution to the Syrian crisis on the horizon after 13 years of conflict.

Pedersen said in a statement issued today, Friday, on the anniversary of the outbreak of the Syrian revolution: “Syrians have long suffered from untold violence and destruction, which has indiscriminately affected young and old, men and women, in all social strata.”

He added: "The humanitarian crisis in Syria is still worsening, as 16.7 million people need humanitarian assistance, and there are more than 5 million refugees living in neighboring countries, and more than 7 million displaced people inside Syria."

The UN envoy stressed that hope can only be restored to the Syrian people by reaching a political solution that ends this long conflict. He said: “I salute the steadfastness and courage shown by Syrians in the face of their increasing suffering.

But at the same time, my message is clear: only the steadfast pursuit of a political solution to end this conflict can restore hope to the Syrian people.”

Pedersen called on all parties to the conflict to "immediately stop all acts of violence and fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, seek a comprehensive nationwide ceasefire, and work towards a cooperative and strategic approach to combating terrorism," as he put it.

He called on those parties to "release all arbitrarily detained persons immediately and unconditionally." He said: "Addressing the plight of detainees, abductees and missing persons in a comprehensive manner and on a scale commensurate with the scale of the tragedy is necessary."

The UN envoy noted that refugees and internally displaced persons “still lack the conditions necessary for a safe, dignified and voluntary return. Their critical concerns regarding protection and livelihoods, which are fundamental to this issue, remain unresolved.”

He concluded by saying, “The opportunity exists to pursue real steps between the various parties involved in the conflict in Syria, and this opportunity should be seized without further delay. In this regard, the international community must unite to push towards the political process in line with Security Council Resolution No. 2254 of the year 2015, including confidence-building measures and the resumption of the work of the Constitutional Committee,” according to what was stated in the statement.
Source: Syria TV

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