Syria remains one of the gravest crises in the world, Pedersen 
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, described, yesterday, Syrian issue as “one of the gravest crises in the world.”
Pedersen’s speech came in a briefing to the UN Security Council, during its regular session on the latest political and humanitarian developments in Syria.
The UN envoy pointed out that the discussions of the 7th round of the meetings of the Syrian Constitutional Committee (SCC) in Geneva witness “significant differences, but it is possible to find and build on common points, if the will exists to do so.”
“The conflict in Syria passed this month the grim milestone of 11 years of conflict,” Pedersen said.
“A military solution is an illusion, there is a clear need for progress towards a political solution in line with Security Council resolution 2254,” He stressed.
Turning to the situation on the ground, he referred to “the growing humanitarian needs and the continued effects on the Syrian people of the destruction of so much of the country and the collapse of Syria’s economy.”
He urged all concerned “to take measures to reverse these negative trends, to expand cross-line and cross-border assistance, and to enhance efforts for early recovery to build resilience.”
Although “there have been no shifts in frontlines for two years now. Yet this past month, violence has continued between the different Syrian actors, two listed terrorist groups, and involving five foreign armies too,” Pedersen further explained.
“With front lines frozen, there is every reason to try to de-escalate militarily and to build a true nationwide ceasefire,” UN Envoy noted.
“All Syrian parties share an interest and a duty to cooperate amongst themselves,” Pedersen added.
In regard with the meetings of the 7th round of the SCC, UN envoy appealed to the Committee’s members to “work with the sense of seriousness and a spirit of compromise that the situation demands.”
He pointed out that the committee members have discussed draft constitutional texts on four titles of constitutional principles, which are “basics of governance, state identity, state symbols, and regulation and functions of public authorities.”
Pedersen stressed that deliberations have not been easy, and are witnessing a lot of differences in the positions of the two parties.
The members are expected to provide revisions to reflect the content of those discussions, which will begin trading on Friday, Pedersen said.
“Serious attempts should be made by all delegations to begin to narrow differences,” he added.
“A constitution-making effort that actually starts to explore compromises could help build trust and confidence in this process – something sorely lacking among the Syrians at present.”
Pedersen touched on the detainees issue saying, “Syrians on all sides continue to be affected by the plight of the detained, the abducted and the missing.”
“Any credible attempt to build trust and confidence must include serious steps forward on this issue.”
As for refugees issue, Pedersen said, “There is also much more that could be done by the Syrian government on the one hand and by outside actors on the other to address the very real concerns that Syrian refugees and IDPs express – the very concerns which prevent most from returning: safety and security; lack of livelihoods and work opportunities; lack of adequate housing as well as concerns over housing, land and property rights; military service requirements; and inadequate basic services.”
“Under these circumstances, it should be possible to identify concrete, reciprocal and verifiable measures that can be taken in parallel to transform conflict dynamics, and to explore broader political progress,” he stressed.
Pedersen continues his meetings with officials in Geneva, the United States, and Turkey, in addition to consulting widely with Syrians, including the Women’s Advisory Board, according to what he indicated.
Most recently, Pedersen’s office convened working groups in the Civil Society Support Room on topics such as economics, recovery, and development perspectives.
Pedersen urged all members of the Security Council to support the efforts to bring about the implementation of resolution 2254, to restore the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, and to enable the Syrian people to realize their legitimate aspirations.