U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss the political process aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis.
According to Sputnik news agency, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated on Friday that "regarding the Syrian file, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the political process under UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the extension of cross-border permission for aid delivery, and contributing to alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people." Blinken also emphasized Washington's commitment to closely coordinating with the UN on global challenges. Additionally, he praised the UN's role in coordinating the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UN Security Council failed to reach a joint statement regarding Syria during a meeting last Tuesday, where closed-door consultations were held on the political settlement of the Syrian crisis—this being the first of its kind in a long time. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen urged Council members to unify their stance to break the current deadlock on the Syrian issue.
Following the closed session held via video link, Pedersen told reporters that "we must overcome the current divisions within the international community," asserting the "need for constructive international diplomacy concerning Syria. Without it, the chances of making tangible progress on the constitutional path remain slim." He also acknowledged that the meeting he organized with representatives from the government, opposition, and civil society at the end of January—the fifth for the Constitutional Committee—was a "missed opportunity" and a "disappointment."
