Al-Moallem to Pedersen: Political Process on Syria Should be Owned and Led by the Syrians

DAMASCUS, (ST)- Deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Walid al-Moallem has reiterated that the political process on Syria should be owned and led by the Syrians, who have the exclusive right to decide the future of their country.

Al-Maollem made the remarks during his meeting on Sunday with Geir Pederson, the UN Chief Special Envoy for Syria, and the accompanying delegation. The meeting focused on several topics relating to the political process in Syria, including the committee for discussing the Syrian constitution.

Al-Moalem reaffirmed Syria’s readiness to cooperate with the UN Chief’s envoy as to make his mission in facilitating the intra-Syrian dialogue a success in order to reach a political solution that achieves the interests of all the Syrians and preserves Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and that also leads to completely eliminating terrorism and end the illegal presence of foreign forces in Syria.

 The Syrian top diplomat underscored that the constitution is a purely sovereign issue that should only be decided by the Syrians themselves without any form of foreign interference and in accordance with the International Law as well as the UN principles and Charter and the Security Council resolutions on Syria.  

On his part, Pedersen said he was pleased for being in Damascus again to continue consultations with the Syrian government on making progress in the political process.  He added that he would spare no effort as to reach a political solution in accordance with the UN principles and the resolutions of the Security Council.

Pederson asserted that several steps need to be taken to help make progress in the political process, reiterating that this process should be led and owned by Syria in order to achieve the hoped-for success.

He stressed the UN’s full commitment to Syria’s sovereignty independence and territorial integrity.

Hamda Mustafa