Pedersen: Constitutional committee’s work should be based on respecting Syria’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity

GENEVA, (ST)- The UN Chief’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen has reaffirmed that the Syrian constitution belongs only to the Syrians who are the ones who should decide the future of their country.

 In a press conference in Geneva on Monday, Pedersen said that the work of the committee for discussing the Syrian constitution should be based on basic principles that include respecting Syria’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity pursuant to the UN Charter and the Security Council Resolutions, particularly Resolution No. 2254 in order to help find a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

 He pointed out that the role of the United Nations will be confined to facilitating the work of the constitutional committee.   

The meeting of the constitutional committee on Syria will kick off on Wednesday with the participation of 150 members, said Pedersen, adding that discussions will start on Friday and then there will be a small committee of 45 members.

The first meeting of the committee will not witness an international participation, noting that the international participation will be limited to the opening ceremony.

He made it clear that he, along with two of his aides, will represent the UN in the committee’s meetings.

The UN envoy also announced that he plans to meet the Iranian, Turkish and Russian foreign ministers in Geneva on Tuesday, a day ahead of the first session of constitutional committee.

Hamda Mustafa