UN Envoy Discusses Syrian Political Deadlock with Egyptian FM

UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen holds talks in Cairo with Egyptian FM Shoukri. (Twitter)
UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen holds talks in Cairo with Egyptian FM Shoukri. (Twitter)
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UN Envoy Discusses Syrian Political Deadlock with Egyptian FM

UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen holds talks in Cairo with Egyptian FM Shoukri. (Twitter)
UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen holds talks in Cairo with Egyptian FM Shoukri. (Twitter)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri received in Cairo on Sunday United Nations special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, who is on a tour of the region.

The two officials discussed the latest developments in the war-torn country, stressing the need to “revive the stalled political process.”

A foreign ministry spokesman said that Cairo is keen on restring the unity and stability of Syria.

A political solution, he continued, must be based on UN Security Council resolution 2254 and be implemented away from foreign meddling that undermines Syria’s stability.

These measures must coincide with efforts to combat terrorist and extremist groups in Syria, he added.

Moreover, Shoukri emphasized the need to direct greater international attention towards the humanitarian situation in several Syrian regions.

Pedersen said that he looks forward to maintaining coordination with Egypt on Syria in the future, revealed the spokesman.

The envoy later held talks with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit, who called for ceasing foreign meddling in Syria.

He echoed Shoukri’s demands for reaching a political solution, said the Arab League spokesman Mahmoud Afifi.

Abul Gheit underscored to the envoy the central role his organization is playing in tackling the crisis, saying that the issue concerns first and foremost an Arab country.

Pedersen is set to travel to Lebanon on Tuesday.

Last week, the envoy had held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

On January 21, he met in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, stressing the need to implement resolution 2254 to ensure the safe return of refugees to their homes.

Pedersen had kicked off his duties earlier this month by holding talks with Syrian officials in Damascus.



Assad to Araghchi: Iranian Response to Israel ‘Was Strong’

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi in Damascus on Saturday. (EPA)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi in Damascus on Saturday. (EPA)
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Assad to Araghchi: Iranian Response to Israel ‘Was Strong’

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi in Damascus on Saturday. (EPA)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi in Damascus on Saturday. (EPA)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Damascus on Saturday, coinciding with an Israeli strike that targeted a car on the Homs-Hama road in northern rural Homs. Reports suggest that a prominent member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed in the attack.

Araghchi, along with his delegation, met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other top officials, including Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali and Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh.

According to a statement from the Syrian presidency, Assad praised Iran’s “strong response” to Israeli violations, stating it delivered a lesson to Tel Aviv and demonstrated the ability of the Axis of Resistance to counter Israel’s aggression. He also emphasized the strategic importance of the Syrian-Iranian relationship in facing regional challenges, further adding that Israel must cease its violent actions and return rightful territories to their owners.

Discussions between Assad and Araghchi focused on Israeli aggression in Lebanon and the need for regional support for the displaced Lebanese population.

The Iranian official reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting efforts for a ceasefire, particularly in Lebanon and Gaza, and stressed the importance of international coordination to halt the aggression. This follows earlier comments made by Araghchi in Beirut, where he pointed to Iran’s efforts to achieve a simultaneous ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza.

This was Araghchi’s first visit to Damascus since assuming office. Recently, analysts have highlighted growing differences between Iran and Syria on several issues, including Tehran’s limited economic and energy support for Damascus, which faces a severe economic crisis.

Furthermore, reports have suggested that Iran has reduced its military presence in Syria due to increased Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian forces and commanders since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

During Araghchi’s visit, Syrian state media reported that air defenses intercepted hostile targets over western Homs, though details were not provided. Local sources reported the death of one person and the injury of three others in a drone strike on a car in the Homs area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the attack, noting that it targeted one Syrian and two foreign nationals, including a commander.