New bid to to end Syrian war

With no progress towards ending the 10-year Syrian conflict, the United Nations special envoy for Syria has called for new international talks on concrete steps like exchanging prisoners and a nationwide ceasefire that the government and opposition could agree on, as initial steps to give impetus to a political solution.

Geir Pedersen told the UN Security Council he believed that these and other areas ‘‘of vital concern for average Syrians’’ had the potential to achieve common ground among Syria’s warring parties. Progress would also ‘‘promote internal and regional stability and build trust and confidence’’, he said.

‘‘This will not be easy,’’ Pedersen said, but he sensed that all key players were interested in deepening talks on a way ahead, which was why ‘‘we need a new constructive international dialogue on Syria’’.

Pedersen said he had been in regular contact with senior officials from Russia, a close ally of Syria, and the United States, which supports the opposition, before and since this month’s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden.

He also plans to consult Turkey and Iran – the guarantor

states along with Russia in the socalled ‘‘Astana process’’ aimed at ending the fighting in Syria – ahead of an Astana group meeting early next month.

Since the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011, there have

been many high-level gatherings designed to stop the fighting and guide the country to a political transition. None has made a lasting impact.

Pedersen said this might be the right time to try to launch

international talks because ‘‘there are a few very important developments’’.

He pointed to the 15 months of relative calm in Syria, but stressed that ‘‘it is a very fragile calm, and we need to discuss how we can make sure that this does not break down’’.

He also cited the collapse of Syria’s economy, the lack of movement on releasing prisoners and abductees and accounting for missing persons, and the millions of Syrians forced to flee their homes.

Pedersen said there were worrying signs that the Islamic State group might be getting stronger, ‘‘given the increased frequency and reach of its latest attacks’’. He urged key international players to cooperate on countering Isis and other terrorist groups.

He urged the international community to focus on the 13 million Syrians forced to flee their homes within Syria and abroad – half the country’s prewar population. ‘‘This is a profound humanitarian and national tragedy, and also a ticking time bomb for regional stability.’’

The UN, the US, Russia and many other countries support a December 2015 Security Council resolution endorsing a road map to peace in Syria, approved in Geneva in June 2012 by major global powers and Arab nations, that calls for a new constitution followed by UN-supervised elections. Pedersen has tried unsuccessfully to get the Syrian government and the opposition to start negotiating a new constitution.