UN Security Council calls for support for recovery in Syria

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, July 21, discussed the latest developments in Syria, in a session that included UN briefings and positions of member states, focusing on supporting the recovery path, strengthening institutions, and respecting the country's sovereignty, in addition to announcing an upcoming visit by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Damascus.

UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone said Guterres would visit Syria later this week, at the invitation of the Syrian government, in his first visit to the country since the fall of the regime.

Cordoni added that the Secretary-General will meet with President Ahmed Al-Shara, along with representatives of civil society and NGOs concerned with women's issues, stressing that the visit aims to renew the UN's commitment to support the Syrian government and people during the current phase.

UN calls for "transparent and fair" judicial proceedings

Syria has a "real opportunity" to build inclusive institutions that respond to the needs of Syrians and enhance trust between the state and society, the UN deputy envoy said, adding that the country continues to face challenges represented by security incidents, economic difficulties and local tensions, calling for support for the Syrian government and people during this stage.

He called for progress on transitional justice  through "transparent and fair" judicial procedures, and the implementation of the recommendations of the International Independent Commission of Inquiry to promote accountability and the rule of law.

Cordone noted that the United Nations continues to provide technical and logistical support to the government, and to continue rehabilitation efforts in state-controlled areas.

He called for an end to violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, expressing the UN's concern over the continued Israeli military activity in southern Syria.

He considered that the removal of Syria's name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism reflects the growing international confidence in its recovery path, but at the same time stressed that the fight against terrorism remains a priority, in light of the continuation of armed attacks, in addition to the risk of cross-border drug trafficking.

15.6 million Syrians in need of aid

Director of the Operations and Advocacy Division at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Edem Wusorno, said Syria is at a "critical juncture" after years of crisis, with a real opportunity to move from emergency humanitarian response to recovery.

She added that the return of Syrians to their areas reflects their desire to rebuild their lives, but stressed that the return is not the end of the crisis, as humanitarian needs are still widespread.

Some 15.6 million people inside Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance, at a time when communities receiving returnees are facing increasing pressure due to damage to infrastructure and poor services, she said, calling for sustainable humanitarian funding and long-term solutions to obstacles to the return of displaced people and refugees.

Alabi: Syria is not an arena for settling regional scores

Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Alabi, said the Syrian government had chosen to build relations with neighbouring countries away from conflicts, stressing that Syria "will not be a corridor for illegal weapons or an arena for settling regional scores".

He added that the Syrian authorities continue to seize smuggled arms shipments, while accusing Israel of continuing to bring weapons across the border, stressing that Damascus has chosen "diplomacy and restraint" while adhering to its rights and not accepting the occupation.

Alabi pointed out that the Security Council spent years discussing the Syrian file while the country was "under the rubble", considering that Syria "is now returning to be a bridge between the various continents of the world".

He added that the new People's Assembly includes representatives from various governorates, components and expertise, considering this as an indication of the new phase that the country is going through.

Alabi touched on the situation in Suwayda province, stressing that it is "in the heart of Syria", and that preserving the dignity of its residents is a "national duty", pointing to the launch of a process to hold those responsible for the violations witnessed in the province accountable.

The session comes less than a month after the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on June 25 to extend the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the occupied Golan (UNDOF), at a time when international moves to support the path of recovery and stability in Syria continue.