STORY: :: A U.N. official urges Syrians to prioritize human rights in rebuilding the country

:: December 8, 2024

:: Doha, Qatar

:: Geir Pedersen, U.N. Special Envoy for Syria

"All armed actors on the ground (must) maintain good conduct, law and order, protect civilians and preserve public institutions. Let me urge all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society."

Speaking during a briefing on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, Pedersen said the U.N. hopes for an orderly 'transition to a democratic future for Syria'. He also noted the challenges posed by the fact that the leading rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is a globally designated terrorist group. Institutions around the world must decide now how to deal with a new administration in which the group looks set to have influence.

Syrian rebels declared President Bashar al-Assad's ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East.

The Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in the heart of the region, key allies who propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict.