The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, traveled to Syria a week after rebel forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTC) ousted former President Bashar al-Assad. Gair Pedersen, answering questions from journalists in the capital, Damascus, stressed that the country has seen “huge” changes since the fall of the Assad regime. “This change in itself raises great hopes, but we all know that there are still many challenges. So we have to get it right from the beginning.” He stressed the need to start a political process, in which The second challenge, he said, is to ensure that government institutions remain operational, including all Syrian states, and which are “clearly led by the Syrian people.” Maintaining public order, security and services. Delivery, public order and security are “of utmost importance”. On the issue of the humanitarian crisis, he said it is essential to ensure that Syria receives “immediately increased humanitarian assistance” for its own population and for all refugees wishing to return. He stressed that He said, “This is very important.” End impunity and revive the economy “We need to make sure this is resolved quickly,” said Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, regarding the issue of economic recovery. “We need to see sanctions lifted as soon as possible.” Hopefully, so that we can truly see solidarity for the reconstruction of Syria.” He also considered it essential that justice be served. He said that those who commit crimes across the country must be held accountable. Geir Pedersen said that this must be done through a credible justice system, and that there is no retaliation.
