Pedersen : The meeting of Syria’s Constitutional Committee is symbolic beginning of a political process

As of tomorrow, the three delegations that are members of the Syrian constitutional committee will begin arriving in Geneva in order to take part in the first meeting of the committee to kick off on Wednesday.

The U.N. Special Envoy Geir Pedersen said that the two co-chairs were Ahmad Kuzbari for the Syrian government and Hadi AlBahra for the ‘opposition’.

He was quoted by Reuters as saying: ““No one believes that the Constitutional Committee in itself will solve the conflict. But if it is understood as part of a broader political process, it could be a door-opener and a very important of course symbolic beginning of a political process.” 

“I believe it is a historic occasion and of course for 150 Syrians to meet and to discuss a new Constitutional arrangement for their own country, that’s a heavy responsibility,” Pedersen asserted.

He made it clear that the major powers would not participate directly in the “Syrian-owned, Syrian-led” constitutional effort, or the opening public ceremony, but they supported the process.

On September 23, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres announced that the Syrian constitutional committee made up of opposition, civil society and government members had been finalized after almost two years of negotiations.

“The Syrian government is satisfied with the agreement that was reached; we are optimistic, and we look forward to good work from this committee,” ­Mohammed Khair Akkam, a ­Syrian lawmaker and a member of the government’s delegation to the Geneva talks, said.

The constitutional committee is made up of 50 opposition members, 50 representing the government and 50 representing civil society.

Compiled by: Basma Qaddour