Dec. 14 (UPI) — The United Nations will play a critical role in the transition of power in Syria following the fall of former strongman leader Bashar al-Assad’s regime, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday.
The transition of power should include assurances that all elements of Syrian society will be represented and treated fairly, Blinken said ahead of a meeting with a U.N. official.
U.N. special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen is meeting with Blinken on Saturday in Jordan and other world leaders regarding matters in Syria.
Before the meeting, Blinken said the United Nations “plays a critical role, particularly when it comes to the provision of assistance, to the protection of minorities, to all the work that needs to happen going forward” while regime change continues in Syria.
“I look forward to this opportunity to compare notes with the envoy, and to … think through how we can support the Syrian people in this time of both opportunity but also real challenge,” Blinken said Saturday in a news release.
The United Nations wants to see all communities in Syria represented as a new government forms.
“What is so critical in Syria is that we see a credible and inclusive political process that brings together all of Syria, all communities in Syria,” Pedersen said.
“We need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible,” Pedersen added. “If we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people.”
In addition to Blinken, Pedersen also will meet with leaders from Turkey and Arab foreign ministers over the weekend while in Aqaba, Jordan.
Israeli officials are hopeful the fall of Russia- and Iran-backed former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will enable more open relations with Syria and greater opposition to Iranian interests in the Middle East.
Defacto Syrian leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who leads the rebel group that ousted Assad, is wanted by the State Department, which is offering up to a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Among al-Jolani’s principle advisers and rebel allies is Abdel Rhim Atoun, who is an ideological supporter of Hamas and has declared Israel and Zionism to be the enemies of Palestinians, Israel Hayom reported.
The extent to which Atoun might influence the future Syrian government is unknown.
