Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad on Wednesday discussed with the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, the latest developments related to the situation in Syria and the region.
The official Syrian News Agency, SANA, said Pedersen presented the results of the tours and meetings he conducted over the past period.
For his part, Mekdad explained the main challenges facing Syria, particularly the negative impacts left behind by the terrorism and unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Syrian economy and the lives of Syrians.
The talks also tackled “the illegitimate Turkish and US occupation presence on the Syrian territories in a flagrant violation of the Syrian sovereignty and the international law,” SANA reported.
Following the meeting, Pedersen told journalists that his visit to Syria is a continuance to boost dialogue with the Syrian State.
According to the German news agency, Pedersen said the current status quo in Syria is unacceptable when nearly 15 million people need humanitarian assistance.
“It is not in anyone’s interest to maintain the current situation in Syria," he said, urging the need to discuss the file of aids and the affairs of refugees inside and outside the country.
The Syrian Al-Watan newspaper said Pedersen told reporters he had presented a briefing to the United Nations Security Council a day earlier on the situation in Syria, warning of the dangers of military escalation in the north.
The UN official had urged all actors to restrain themselves, reinstate calm and move towards a nationwide ceasefire and a cooperative approach to counter-terrorism in line with international humanitarian law.
“This is an important message. Syria doesn't need more war, it needs peace, and it needs political process,” he stressed.
