UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said Wednesday that the atmosphere in Damascus is "ripe with cautious optimism and a yearning for renewal" following far-reaching international moves on Syria.
In his briefing to the Security Council, Pedersen hailed as "historic developments" the lifting of Western sanctions as well as international support rendered by regional countries.
He noted that U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week that he would order the cessation of sanctions on Syria.
The European Union followed the U.S. move and announced on Tuesday the lifting of its economic sanctions. Britain revoked its previous sanctions regime against Syria last month, he noted.
"I have long called for bold steps on sanctions, as have millions of Syrians in and outside the country, and I warmly welcome these international steps," said Pedersen via a video link from Damascus.
He also welcomed the support extended by regional countries to Syria, most notably Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Qatar, including efforts to resolve Syria's outstanding obligations to international financial institutions, support in the payment of public-sector salaries, and ensuring the provision of critical energy resources, in addition to initiatives on sanctions relief.
"These are indeed historic developments. They hold major potential to improve living conditions across the country and to support the Syrian political transition," said Pedersen.
The world body will follow closely and support the moves to lift sanctions, he said. "But we also know that Syria faces significant structural challenges, with an economy ravaged by over a decade of war and conflict, and a host of other destabilizing factors. Revitalizing a devastated economy will require from the interim authorities sustained actions, including on overall economic reform and governance standards across the financial system, and this will need international support."
The challenges facing Syria are enormous, and the real dangers of renewed conflict and deeper fragmentation have not yet been overcome. However, the Syrian people have taken heart from the fact that the decisions to lift sanctions give them a better chance than before to succeed against great odds, he said. ■
