HAMILTON, Canada
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani on Monday to discuss Syria’s political transition, humanitarian aid and economic recovery.
They “discussed UN support for an inclusive political transition in Syria, efforts to increase humanitarian support for civilians in need across Syria, and work towards economic recovery and the progressive removal of sanctions,” Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
Guterres “reiterated the importance of inclusivity of the political process to meet the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians,” the statement said, emphasizing the importance of enabling Syrians to “peacefully, independently and democratically determine the future of their country, in line with the key principles listed in Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).”
Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, calls for a Syrian-led political process facilitated by the UN to establish a credible, inclusive and non-sectarian government, as well as to set a timeline and process for drafting a new constitution.
“The Secretary-General expressed concern about violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement,” it added.
Israel has mounted a massive air campaign against Syrian military sites since the downfall of the Assad regime in December.
The Israeli army occupied the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights in early December, violating a 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Syria in a move that expanded Israel’s control over the territory, most of which it has occupied since the 1967 Middle East War.
Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the regime of the Baath Party, which had been in power since 1963.
