UN envoy sees new possibilities for Syria political solution

By Nathan Morley

Visiting UN special envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen has said he sees new possibilities for a political solution in Syria.

After meetings with officials from the West and Arab countries, Pederson said he thought there was a possibility to start to explore a step-for-step approach which could build trust.

He added that he had been travelling extensively among Arab countries, while conducting in-depth discussions with the Americans and Europeans.

Searching for a comprehensive political solution

He pointed out that the stances of all regional and international players should be analyzed, as well as developments in Syria, in order to reach a comprehensive political solution to the country's decade-long war.

After arriving in Damascus, Pedersen held a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, after which he told reporters that he had an in-depth discussion that lasted for more than two hours.

The talks focused on the military situation, economics, the humanitarian situation, and the political process linked to that.

Separately, Syria will host the Arab energy conference in capital Damascus in 2024. Relations between Syria and other Arab countries have been warming recently with Syria restoring relations with the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.