UN Security Council pledges to facilitate lasting political settlement of Syria crisis

The members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Tuesday reiterated their support for the UN efforts to facilitate a lasting political settlement of the Syria crisis, according to a statement.

The members on Tuesday heard a briefing by the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, and pledged to facilitate the lasting political settlement of the Syria crisis through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, read the statement.

They reaffirmed their "strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic," and reiterated that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva Communique of June 30, 2012 and relevant statements of the International Syria Support Group.

The Security Council members welcomed the International Meeting on Syria held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 23-24, as anticipated in the Security Council resolution 2336 (2016).

They welcomed the talks between the Syrian government and armed opposition groups with de Mistura's involvement, expressed their appreciation to the president of the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting the meeting, and took note of the joint statement by Iran, Russia and Turkey adopted on the outcome of the talks.

The members recognized the International Meeting on Syria in Astana as an important step toward the resumption of intra-Syrian negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.

They look forward to the resumption of intra-Syrian negotiations, encouraged in this context de Mistura to re-convene negotiations as soon as possible in Geneva, and urged the Syrian parties to participate in the negotiations in good faith and without preconditions. Endi