UN urges Syrian Constitutional Committee to return to work after 10-month lapse

WASHINGTON

The UN's special envoy for Syria urged the committee tasked with forming a new constitution for Syria to resume its duties following a nearly year-long hiatus.

Addressing the Security Council, Geir Pedersen said he is "concerned" by the 10-month lapse, which he said, "sends a troubling message: that Syrians’ ability to search for a comprehensive solution is held hostage to issues unrelated to their country."

"The committee must resume its work in Geneva in a spirit of compromise, substance and at pace," he said. "The situation today is so unprecedented that it calls for leadership, bold ideas and a cooperative spirit. A political solution is the only way forward for Syria. We may not be able to reach that in one step – but I believe we can progress towards it gradually."

Turning to ongoing efforts to remedy devastation brought by devastating earthquakes in neighboring Syria, Pedersen said it is "absolutely vital" to get direly-needed resources to northwest Syria to address "the immense suffering arising from the conflict."

A "sustained calm" is also needed, particularly in earthquake-afflicted regions, Pedersen said, noting "a creeping rise in incidents," including rocket fire and shelling and "crossline raids."

WASHINGTON

The UN's special envoy for Syria urged the committee tasked with forming a new constitution for Syria to resume its duties following a nearly year-long hiatus.

A "sustained calm" is also needed, particularly in earthquake-afflicted regions, Pedersen said, noting "a creeping rise in incidents," including rocket fire and shelling and "crossline raids."