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HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa calls for rethink of UN Resolution 2254

HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa says there needs to be updates to Resolution 2254, a UN path for peace in Syria.
3 min read
16 December, 2024
Pedersen and Al-Sharaa met in Damascus on Sunday [Getty

The de-facto leader of Syria,ÌýAhmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani, has called for revisions to Resolution 2254 during a meeting with UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen.

Al-Sharaa, who oversaw the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham-led (HTS) rebel offensive that overthrew Bashar Al-Assad's regime earlier this month, discussed political developments in Syria with Pedersen in Damascus on Sunday.

Resolution 2254 was unanimously adopted by the UN in 2015 and became the basis of ceasefire and constitutional talks between the Syrian regime and opposition.

The road map would ultimately see a transition to democracy, which led to the regime side repeatedly blocking constitutional talks based on this UN resolution due to the result likely being the end of Bashar Al-Assad's rule.

That track ended with a military offensive by rebels in Idlib province in November, which first saw Aleppo fall and eventually the flight of Assad and regime cronies from Syria.

Al-Sharaa spoke positively about the implementation of a transitional process now Assad's rule has ended, but said a change in circumstances in Syria means that Resolution 2254 will have to be revised.

"Given the changes in the political landscape, updating the resolution to reflect the current reality was deemed essential," said a statement from the General Command - Syria, which is running the country during the transitional phase.

"Ahmed Al-Sharaa emphasised the importance of swift and effective cooperation to address the challenges facing Syrians. He also stressed the need to focus on Syria's territorial integrity, reconstruction efforts, and achieving economic development."

Al-Sharaa's comments follow a statement issued by Arab and international states after a summit in Aqaba, Jordan regarding the politicalÌýsituation in Syria, with some Syrians wary about outside interference in the next stage, particularly given the role of foreign powers in propping up Assad's dictatorship.

Dr Azmi Bishara, the General Director of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, said Syrians must be in control of the political process and international involvement in the implementation of Resolution 2254 is no longer required.

"There is no longer a role for what is called the international community in transferring power because the regime has fallen, and a revolutionary armed force has taken control. Given this undeniable reality, the final statement of the Aqaba Summit also loses its significance," Dr Bishara wrote on social media.

Dr. Azmi said that political factions and technocrats could be involved in the political transition but it should remain a Syrian initiative rooted in dialogue and consensus.

"A constitution cannot simply be drafted by legal technocrats and put to a referendum without first being discussed and agreed upon by social and political forces supporting the transition," he said.

"Legal experts can work on drafting amendments and proposals, but the source and approval of these changes must come through political and societal dialogue."

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