UN Calls for Comprehensive Power Transfer in Syria

Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, stated that "political organization and transfer" is the most significant challenge facing Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Mr. Pedersen told reporters in Geneva that Syria needs a "credible preparation for transfer" of power in a way that represents a wide spectrum of Syrian society. He noted that such a process could pave the way for the lifting of international sanctions and the return of refugees to their homes, and failure of this process would pose the risk of "new conflicts in Syria." Geir Pedersen added, "There is a real opportunity for change, but the Syrians themselves must seize this opportunity with the support of the UN and the international community." Additionally, Ahmed al-Shara, known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani, who commands the operations of the Assad government’s opponents, has pledged to publish the names of senior officials in Bashar al-Assad's government who were involved in the torture of the Syrian people. He stated that rewards would be given to those who provide information about senior military officers and security agents involved in war crimes. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, and Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, welcomed the end of Assad's regime and expressed their readiness to cooperate with the new rulers of Syria, emphasizing the need to respect human rights and support ethnicities and religious minorities. They also stressed the importance of maintaining Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United Nations has expressed concern about the deployment of Israeli forces in the Syrian part of the Golan Heights, but Israel claims its presence in the area is essential for its security. Geir Pedersen emphasized that the UN is monitoring all Israeli movements and airstrikes in Syria and called for their cessation. Reuters reported, citing several security sources and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, that Israeli forces were present on Tuesday, December 20, in the Syrian area about 25 kilometers southwest of Damascus. An Israeli army spokesman dismissed reports about Israeli forces approaching Damascus as "incorrect" and stated that Israeli forces are stationed in the "buffer zone" and near the border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain and monitoring the conflict in Syria, reported that Israeli forces have conducted over 300 airstrikes on Syrian territory since the fall of Assad on early Sunday, December 18. Journalists also reported further airstrikes in the Damascus area early on Tuesday. Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Foreign Minister, stated a day earlier that his country’s forces attacked "sites suspected of containing chemical weapons and long-range missiles" to ensure they do not fall into the hands of hostile entities. Saudi Arabia has condemned the Israeli attacks in Syria, deeming them a violation of international law, and emphasized that these attacks undermine Syria's chances of achieving security, stability, and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Shara, known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani, has met with Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, the Prime Minister of Syria, to coordinate the power transfer. Mohammad Ghazi Jalali told Sky News Arabia that efforts are being made for a swift and smooth transition period and added that most cabinet ministers are still working from their offices in Damascus. However, some essential government services have been suspended as government employees have stayed home. The Syrian ambassador to the UN, appointed by the Assad regime, told reporters that their delegation has received instructions from the new officials to continue their activities during the transition. Farhad Rezaei and Reza Haj Hosseini discuss the reasons for the joy of the Syrian people at Assad's fall and their future. What will the new Syrian government's policy towards Syria be? Farzin Nadimi explains. How relevant is the fear of fragmentation and civil war in Syria? A discussion with Mohammad Qaedi. The Security Council issues a statement in support of Syria's territorial integrity. The review of asylum requests from Syrian citizens in several European countries is suspended. The alignment of Assad's opponents and the consequences of his fall for the "Resistance Axis" of the Iranian government. Blinken: Assad's fall is a defeat for the Islamic Republic, Russia, and Hezbollah.