UN Security Council waits due to “fluid situation” in Syria
Published: Tuesday, Dec 10th 2024, 06:50
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Following the surprising overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the UN Security Council is initially exercising restraint in view of the "fluid" situation in Syria. This was stated by ambassadors after an emergency meeting behind closed doors. Possibilities to support a Syrian-led and supported political transition and to assess the situation in the UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) area of operations were discussed, the Swiss representation wrote on the short message service X on Monday evening.
"The Council more or less agreed that the territorial integrity and unity of Syria must be preserved, the civilian population protected and humanitarian access guaranteed," said Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia after the meeting, which was convened at Moscow's initiative.
"But the events took everyone, including the council members, by surprise. We have to wait and see how the situation develops," added Nebensja. In the current situation, the Security Council is not in a position to make an immediate statement.
"Nobody expected the Syrian armed forces to collapse like a house of cards," said Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood. The situation is "extremely dynamic" and is likely to change from day to day, he added. "We will have to wait and see how this develops."
Syria's sovereignty should be respected
Despite the uncertainties, a broad majority in the Council emphasized the need to respect Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and to take into account the humanitarian situation in the country, explained Wood. The Council was working on a joint declaration in order to "speak with one voice". It remains to be seen whether a unified message will be reached in the coming days. "The Council is expected to speak out," he emphasized.
Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the Security Council has been largely blocked on the Syrian issue, as Russia has repeatedly used its veto to protect the Assad regime.
Questions about the possible removal of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from the UN sanctions list, which led the rebel group and contributed to the fall of the regime, were not addressed in the meeting, both the Russian and US representatives said.
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