Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin accused Monday the West of working to obstruct any political process in Syria by issuing statements calling for not recognizing the results of the upcoming elections.
In an interview with the Russian state-owned Ria Novosti news agency, the official said such statements constitute a confiscation of the Syrians’ right to decide their future and a destabilization of the work of Syrian state institutions.
“Despite the negative factors and the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus, the Constitutional Committee continues its work in Geneva, and the fifth round of the meetings is scheduled to be held late this month,” he noted.
Vershinin asserted that UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the rules of the work of the Committee compel a political process led and implemented by the Syrians without any foreign interference and without artificial timetables.
The Committee, established more than a year ago under United Nations auspices with the goal of forming a new constitution, brought together government, opposition and civil society representatives in Geneva for a fourth session from November 30 to December 4 last year.
Vershinin also warned from escalating tensions east of the Euphrates, where pro-ISIS groups resumed operations and where clashes are taking place between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkey-backed militants in the town of Ain Issa.
“The situation on the ground in Syria has stabilized, but remains explosive and complex,” he said, adding that tension remains in areas outside regime control in Idlib, Damascus, east Euphrates and Tanf.
The SDF have been resisting attacks by Turkey-backed militants in Ain Issa since early December.
