UN Secretary-General addresses reporters on Syria developments. UN Secretary-General calls for dialogue to stop bloodshed in Syria Peace and Security
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the situation in Syria with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday. During the phone call, the UN chief stressed the “urgent” need to ensure humanitarian access to civilians and “return to the UN-facilitated political process” to end the bloodshed.
“Dramatic events”
Guterres reported this while speaking to journalists at the UN headquarters. The head of the UN called what is happening in Syria “serious and dramatic events” that are unfolding before our eyes.
The UN Secretary-General recalled that several days ago, militants from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group under sanctions by the Security Council, along with other armed opposition groups, launched an offensive on government-controlled areas of Syria. “This has led to significant shifts on the front line. Tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in a region already engulfed in flames,” the UN chief warned.
Violation of previous agreements
“We are seeing the bitter fruits of a chronic, collective violation of previous de-escalation agreements that would lead to a genuine national ceasefire or a serious political process to implement Security Council resolutions,” Guterres noted.
Efforts to resolve the conflict
He recalled that the conflict has been going on for 14 years and called on all parties involved to establish interaction with his Special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, “to finally outline a new, inclusive and comprehensive approach to resolving this crisis in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254.” The head of the UN stressed that this is about restoring the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as “meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.”
“Crossroads of Civilizations”
The head of the UN called Syria “a crossroads of civilizations”: “It is painful to watch its progressive fragmentation.” “I once again call on all those with influence to do their part for the sake of the long-suffering people of Syria,” the UN Secretary-General concluded his address to the press.