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Pedersen Sees ‘Positive Elements’ in Syria Political Solution

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Reuters file photo
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Reuters file photo
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Pedersen Sees ‘Positive Elements’ in Syria Political Solution

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Reuters file photo
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Reuters file photo

The UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has voiced hope that a new meeting aimed at winding down Syria's civil war would take place in November.

Pedersen saw Tuesday “positive elements, beyond constitutional reform, towards building a wider process, including a view by some key stakeholders that the military phase of the conflict is ending, with a renewed focus on the political process.”

He told a virtual UN Security Council meeting that new talks aimed at revisions to Syria's constitution would not happen as planned this month.

"We have no agreement yet," he said. "But assuming full agreement is confirmed, the plan would be to reconvene sometime in November.”

“Front lines have not shifted in around eight months. And the number of civilians killed in recent months has, according to monitoring groups, been at (its) lowest levels since 2011,” he observed.

He reiterated that a political deal to implement Security Council Resolution 2254 is the way to restore Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and meet the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians.

The culmination of a political process would be free and fair elections, pursuant to a new constitution, administered under United Nations supervision, to the highest international standards, with all Syrians including those in the diaspora, eligible to participate, he stressed.

Also briefing the Council was Mark Lowcock, Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, who warned that the scale of the COVID 19 outbreak in Syria is likely to be far greater than the 13,500 cases confirmed thus far.

Aid agencies plan to reach 3.1 million people across the country to help people survive the winter, he said.

Richard Mills, the US deputy representative to the UN, said the lack of progress by the Constitutional Committee is unacceptable, adding that the Syrian regime has stymied its work by refusing to agree to an agenda or a date for any future meeting.

“It is time now to tell the Assad regime that enough is enough,” he added.

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Iraq Calls for Protecting Maritime Corridors in Arabian Gulf

Members of Iraqi factions raise the photo of Nasrallah in Baghdad. (AFP)
Members of Iraqi factions raise the photo of Nasrallah in Baghdad. (AFP)
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Iraq Calls for Protecting Maritime Corridors in Arabian Gulf

Members of Iraqi factions raise the photo of Nasrallah in Baghdad. (AFP)
Members of Iraqi factions raise the photo of Nasrallah in Baghdad. (AFP)

Iraq has emphasized the protection of maritime routes for oil transport through the Arabian Gulf amid increasing warnings of a broader conflict between Israel and Iran. Iraqi political leaders are concerned that Israeli strikes may target vital infrastructure within the country, alongside speculation that Israel might hit the Abadan oil refinery in Iran, near Basra, and the Bushehr nuclear reactor.

Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein continues his meetings in Washington with American officials and diplomats, focusing on the escalating tension in the Middle East. Asharq Al-Awsat learned from reliable sources that Iraq has launched “discussions with Western countries to discuss ways to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon."

According to a press statement, Hussein said he discussed with US officials "the need to protect maritime routes to ensure the export of Iraqi and Gulf oil."

On Thursday, Hussein met with Barbara Leaf, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Under Secretary of State for Management Ambassador John Bass, and Energy Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt.

The Iraqi minister emphasized that Iraq and the US agreed on the need for de-escalation and for all parties to avoid expanding the conflict in the Middle East. Iraq renewed its call for a "ceasefire in the region and resolving the crises through diplomatic means,” and emphasized the importance of efforts to assist Lebanese refugees and provide support to end the humanitarian crisis.

According to a statement from Iraq’s Foreign Ministry, the United States expressed its support for the Iraqi government's efforts to contain crises.

Meanwhile, Iraqi sources indicated that the Shiite Coordination Framework discussed a "security report on dozens of targets for potential strikes and assassinations by Israel in Iraq."

An Iraqi official, who preferred not to be named, stated that reports have been submitted to government bodies and party leaders noting that Iran's retaliation may “accelerate Israeli targeting of sites and facilities in Iraq.”

On the other hand, the local government in Basra downplayed concerns about a "threat to the Bushehr reactor, which is near the province." Aqeel Al-Freiji, the head of Basra’s Security Committee, said in a statement: "Some social media platforms circulated warning messages containing inaccurate information, specifically addressed to Basra residents, about a potential attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor."

Al-Freiji added that the purpose of these messages is to “spread chaos and panic among citizens.”

Meanwhile, Iraqi media outlets reported that Iran-affiliated armed factions in Iraq have left the timing of their participation in Lebanon's war to Hezbollah. The media also indicated that "the factions are ready for combat and have prepared surprises for the front against Israel."

A source close to these factions added: "The factions have taken a series of strategic decisions in recent days to support Lebanon's front, and they will be disclosed later. However, we neither confirm nor deny the presence of Iraqi fighters in southern Lebanon."

Two Iraqi government officials confirmed that Baghdad's stance remains steadfast in supporting the Lebanese people and reducing escalation in the region. Farhad Alaaldine, international affairs advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Iraqi government continues its diplomatic efforts, in cooperation with the international community, to enhance stability and peace in the region, with a focus on protecting the rights and security of Arab peoples.

Alaaldine added that the Iraqi government “strongly rejects any violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is fully prepared to offer necessary humanitarian aid to support Lebanon during these difficult times.”

Fadi Al-Shammari, political advisor to the Iraqi prime minister, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the government continues its intensive efforts at both regional and international levels to reduce tensions and prevent the region from being dragged into a full-scale war.