New York: The UN Secretary-General appealed on Thursday for serious dialogue to find a diplomatic solution to an end to the fighting in Syria. “It’s time for serious dialogue,” Antonio Guterres said in a news conference to address the “grave and dramatic developments” that are unfolding in Syria.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the UN chief noted that he had just spoken with President Erdogan of Turkiye to discuss developments in Syria. Guterres emphasized the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need and a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed, highlighting that all parties are obligated under international law to protect civilians. He expressed concern over the latest offensive by Syrian opposition forces into government-controlled areas, which has led to significant shifts in the frontlines and put tens of thousands of civilians at risk in an already volatile region.
Guterres described the situation as a “chronic collective failure” of previous
de-escalation arrangements to produce a genuine nationwide ceasefire or a serious political process to implement Security Council resolutions. He urged all parties to engage seriously with his Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to chart a new, inclusive, and comprehensive approach to resolving the crisis in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
Reflecting on Syria’s historical significance as a crossroads of civilization, Guterres expressed sorrow over its progressive fragmentation. He recalled his tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, witnessing the immense generosity of the Syrian people toward refugees from Iraq, and lamented the growing suffering of Syrians and the escalating threats to regional and international security. Guterres concluded by urging those with influence to act in support of the long-suffering people of Syria.