Security Council meets on Syria, plus Gaza, Lebanon updates

A one-year-old child is screened for malnutrition by a UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF)-supported health team in Syria. © UNICEF-Marissa Sargi

8 January 2025 - While the war in Gaza grinds on with dozens of civilians already reportedly killed and injured so far this year - and as the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon largely holds - hopes are still high for a successful transition of power in Damascus following the overthrow of the Assad regime exactly a month ago. Syria's ambassador told the Security Council on Wednesday the "dawn of freedom has broken". 

Syria calls for lifting of all sanctions 

Syria's Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak called on Members of the UN to "respect the will of the Syrian people and its national choices.”

For this reason, he called upon the UN and its member states to “immediately and fully lift unilateral coercive measures, to provide the necessary financing to meet humanitarian needs and recover basic services” and “to rehabilitate and reconstruct the damaged facilities and ensure demining.” 

As the country is committed to improving conditions following 14 years of brutal conflict, he called on the US and other States to lift restrictive measures which targeted the previous regime.

Warning to Israel

Finally, he had a message for Israel in the Golan, which has enlarged and extended its presence there since the regime fell a month ago.

“Syria stresses the need to ensure that Israeli occupation entities do not take advantage of the current circumstances to violate Syria’s sovereignty in an attempt to impose a new reality through their military incursion to new parts of Syria,” he said, underscoring the importance of respecting relevant Security Council resolutions. 

One month on, ‘the dawn of freedom has broken in Syria’

The Syrian Arab Republic Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak began his statement by stating that “following the victory of the Syrian people, Syria is entering a new era of its history where all Syrians come together to build a state of freedom, equality and rule of law.”

To that end, the Ambassador urged “support from the international community to Syrians and their State in their quest to build a better future for their country,” emphasising the de facto authorities are committed “to maintaining the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.”

He affirmed that the country is currently preparing for a national dialogue conference to discuss the next phase and establish a transitional government to oversee national processes including the drafting of the constitution and the holding of elections.

Call for 'friendly relations'

Ms. Adahhak further expressed the will of Syria “to build friendly relations based on mutual respect, constructive cooperation and shared interest away from the policies of polarisation” with other Member States. 

“Syrian authorities also stressed that the new Syria is willing to play a positive role on the international arena,” he said, adding that “it will be a positive contributor to the promotion of international peace and security and it will not engage in any conflict or war.”

Iran: Terrorism a ‘serious and escalating concern’

The resurgence of terrorism in Syria, particularly the covert operations of sleeper cells linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIL, “remains a serious and escalating concern,” Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the Council. 

He said the terrorist groups “retain the potential to reconnect and reignite terrorism across the region.”

He said the presence of over 60 armed groups, including foreign terrorist fighters “with divergent and often conflicting agendas” compounded the crisis, deepening instability and posing a severe threat to both regional and global security.  

He added that “the fate of the thousands of ISIL-affiliated fighters held in camps and prisons in northeastern Syria is a pressing challenge that demands urgent action.”

On the political transition Mr. Iravani said that Iran continues to advocate for the formation of “an inclusive government through free and fair elections and a comprehensive national dialogue that ensures representation for all ethnic, political, and religious groups.”

In Saudi Arabia, UNRWA chief discusses potential impact of Israeli Knesset bills

Philippe Lazzarini

Today in #Riyadh, I discussed with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal the Kingdom’s support to  @UNRWA

in the occupied Palestinian territory including in #Gaza. We also exchanged on the impact the Knesset bills aimed at dismantling UNRWA on the lives of Palestinians if implemented without a viable alternative. @KSAmofaEN

‘Zero tolerance’ towards terrorism, essential: China

China’s Ambassador Fu Cong had four points to make in the meeting. First he said a Syrian led and owned process was essential and it’s up to Syrians themselves to chart a future, in line with international law.

He said China expected an open and inclusive political settlement process to begin soon. “China supports a greater role for the UN and Special Envoy Pedersen in that process,” he added.

Second, there must be zero tolerance towards terrorism within Syria’s borders. Third, Syria’s humanitarian crisis must be addressed by the UN, speeding up aid.

Finally, the Golan is recognised as Syrian territory, with Israel’s occupation of the mountainous region “null and void”. Ambassador Cong said Syria’s sovereignty must be respected.

United States looks for ‘progress in actions not words’

The United States Deputy Ambassador, Dorothy Shea, began her statement by calling for a “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process,” while urging interim authorities to build an “inclusive and representative government that fully respects the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Syrians, including women.” 

She called for the de facto authorities to deter individual acts of vengeance and partner with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) for Syria, to identify a path towards accountability. 

Furthermore, Ms. Shea underscored the US’ commitment to ensuring that its “sanctions do not impede activities to meet basic human needs including the provision of basic services or humanitarian assistance.” 

“Syria should not be used as a platform to extend other countries’ interests at the expense of the Syrian people,” she said, adding that the country should not “pose a threat to its neighbours, serve as a base for terrorism, or give refuge to groups like the Islamic State or Daesh.”

In particular, she underscored the importance of maintaining security in regard to detention facilities and displaced people camps in northeast Syria to “prevent ISIS’s resurgence and promote stability in the region.” 

Russia: Humanitarian and socio-economic crises

Russia’s Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, referenced the humanitarian issues raised by the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher saying that Syria faces “dire” humanitarian and socio-economic crises adding that “millions of citizens of this long-suffering country continue to experience serious food shortages and a lack of necessary medical care.”

He noted that the “Syrian economy is under extreme pressure and is not able to cope with the challenges facing the country adding that “Israeli air strikes and shelling, as well as the rampant violence seen in many regions, is causing suffering losses among the civilian population.”

It was still not possible, he said, to “clearly assess the processes taking place” in Syria especially relating to the “the work of key state institutions,” and how the “inclusive nature of the authorities of the future Syria will be ensured.”

He said the signs coming out of the country are often “extremely contradictory in nature.” – UN News