The Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, issued a message marking the eleventh anniversary of the protests that sparked the Syrian uprising, saying that Syrians continue to suffer in profound ways, and the hardship is only deepening.
Addressing all sides to the conflict, he stressed that a military solution is an "illusion."
"This was always so, but it is now plain for all to see," he noted, saying that there have been no shifts in the frontlines for two years.
"We are facing a continuing stalemate, and at the same time, we see growing humanitarian needs and a socioeconomic collapse."
The official stressed that the way out of this impasse is for the parties to “forge a political solution that can end the suffering of the Syrian people, restore Syria’s sovereignty, and enable the Syrian people to determine their own future.”
"This is perfectly doable if the political will is there – and there are real steps within the parties’ reach that could engender some trust and confidence."
Pedersen said he was pleased that the Constitutional Committee will hold new talks again in Geneva soon. He reiterated his belief that a series of reciprocal confidence-building measures in resolution 2254 (2015) could be implemented in parallel, step-for step.
"My sincere appeal to the Syrian parties and all key international actors is to work with the United Nations effort in order to help advance this shared goal."
