Pedersen says creating an inclusive Syrian government could help lift sanctions

DAMASCUS— UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said on Thursday that creating an inclusive government in Syria in coming weeks will help determine whether Western sanctions are lifted as the country rebuilds after the fall of the former regime.

“What I’m hoping is that with a truly new inclusive government in place on the 1st of March, this will help us in lifting sanctions” imposed on Syria by Western countries during Assad’s rule, Geir Pedersen told The Associated Press in an interview during a visit to Damascus.