In a letter obtained by The National, UN general secretary Antonio Guterres has informed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that he wishes to appoint the veteran Norwegian diplomat Geir Pederson as the UN special envoy to Syria.
The two-page document was sent to the UNSC on Tuesday, and it revealed that after broad consultations – including with the Syrian government – Mr Pederson is the secretary general’s choice to succeed Staffan de Mistura, who will stand down at the end of November.
“I am pleased to inform you of my intention to announce the appointment of Mr Geir O Pedersen as my Special Envoy for Syria. In taking this decision, I have consulted broadly, including with the government of the Syrian Arab Republic,” Mr Guterres wrote.
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He said the special envoy “will lead the efforts of the United Nations to implement Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), the Geneva Communique of 2012, along with relevant General Assembly resolutions.”
“Mr Pedersen will support the Syrian parties by facilitating an inclusive and credible political solution that meets the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people,” the letter read.
Mr Pedersen is a seasoned Norwegian diplomat with extensive experience in the Middle East. He currently serves as his country’s ambassador to China, and prior to that he was permanent representative of Norway to the UN.
In the Middle East, Mr Pedersen served as the UN special coordinator for Lebanon between 2007 and 2008.
Between 1998 and 2003, he was Norway’s representative to the Palestinian Authority. He also took part in 1993 in secret negotiations that led to Oslo Agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
The UNSC now has a period between two to seven days to respond to Mr Guterres, but the appointment is expected to confirmed and made public this week.
