International Support for UN Efforts in Sudan

Demonstrators protest in Khartoum. (Reuters file photo)
Demonstrators protest in Khartoum. (Reuters file photo)
TT
20

International Support for UN Efforts in Sudan

Demonstrators protest in Khartoum. (Reuters file photo)
Demonstrators protest in Khartoum. (Reuters file photo)

The Quad of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, UK and US welcomed the announcement of the UN Interim Transition Assistance Mission to Sudan (UNITAMS) to facilitate discussions to resolve Sudan's political crisis.

"We strongly support this UN-facilitated, Sudanese-led dialogue initiative. We urge all Sudanese political actors to seize this opportunity to restore the country's transition to civilian democracy, in line with the 2019 Constitutional Declaration," they said in a statement.

The Quad noted that they look forward to this results-oriented process that will guide the country towards democratic elections, in line with the Sudanese people's manifest aspirations for freedom, democracy, peace, justice, and prosperity.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the dialogue between the Sudanese parties and commended the role of the UN and its integrated efforts to support the transitional phase in Sudan to facilitate dialogue, encourage the values of consensus, bolster the language of dialogue and revive the political process.

The Kingdom stressed its support for everything that achieves security, peace, unity, stability, prosperity, and development of Sudan.

The Arab League also welcomed the UN declaration to enable a political process to facilitate dialogue and address the difficulties facing the transitional period.

Egypt called on all Sudanese parties "to work on choosing a consensus new transitional prime minister and forming a new government as soon as possible," and expressed its readiness to support that government in all possible ways.

"Egypt is closely following the recent developments in Sudan and backs the United Nations moves for achieve stability in the country by activating a dialogue among all sides."

The foreign ministry issued a statement stressing that only dialogue will settle the ongoing crisis and avert chaos, it reiterated "Egypt's readiness to support new transitional Sudanese government by all means."

"The security and stability of Sudan is an indispensable part of Egypt's security and stability," said the statement.

The UN Security Council will hold an informal closed meeting next Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in Sudan, according to diplomatic sources.

The sources said that six out of the 15 member states of the council requested holding the session to resolve the crisis.



Syria Announces 200 Percent Public Sector Wage, Pension Increase

FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
TT
20

Syria Announces 200 Percent Public Sector Wage, Pension Increase

FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo

Syria announced on Sunday a 200 percent hike in public sector wages and pensions, as it seeks to address a grinding economic crisis after the recent easing of international sanctions.

Over a decade of civil war has taken a heavy toll on Syria's economy, with the United Nations reporting more than 90 percent of its people live in poverty.

In a decree published by state media, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a "200 percent increase to salaries and wages... for all civilian and military workers in public ministries, departments and institutions.”

Under the decree, the minimum wage for government employees was raised to 750,000 Syrian pounds per month, or around $75, up from around $25, AFP reported.

A separate decree granted the same 200 percent increase to retirement pensions included under current social insurance legislation.

Last month, the United States and European Union announced they would lift economic sanctions in a bid to help the country's recovery.

Also in May, Syria's Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Qatar would help it pay some public sector salaries.

The extendable arrangement was for $29 million a month for three months, and would cover "wages in the health, education and social affairs sectors and non-military" pensions, he had said.

Barnieh had said the grant would be managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and covered around a fifth of current wages and salaries.

Syria has some 1.25 million public sector workers, according to official figures.