Pedersen: There is a strong consensus to support the new Syria

The UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen, during a press conference in Damascus, said: There is a strong consensus to support the new Syria.

He added: We want a comprehensive political transition, and there is a necessity to form a national army that includes all factions.

Pedersen added there is an international desire to support Syria, especially in the issue of sanctions.

“These sanctions were imposed on the former regime and the countries that imposed the sanctions must reconsider them,” Pedersen clarified.

He went on to say that the political process must be led and owned by Syrians and involve all groups, and it must not come from abroad.

Pedersen made it clear that Israel’s occupation of lands in Syria is absolutely unacceptable and unjustified.

He pointed out that some principles of UN Resolution 2254 still exist, including protecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the need for a comprehensive political process with the help of the United Nations.

“If we seek to rebuild Syria and save the people from poverty, sanctions must be lifted,” he reiterated.