UN Warns of Renewed Conflict in Syria  05/22 06:22

   

   UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The top U.N. official for Syria warned Wednesday of 
the "real dangers of renewed conflict and deeper confrontation" in the 
war-battered country but also hoped for a better life for its people following 
decisions by the U.S. and European Union to lift sanctions.

   Geir Pedersen noted the fragilities in the multiethnic country and "the 
urgent need to address the growing polarization." He pointed to violence 
against the Druze minority in late April following the killings in 
Alawite-minority areas in March.

   "The challenges facing Syria are enormous, and the real dangers of renewed 
conflict and deeper fragmentation have not yet been overcome," he told the U.N. 
Security Council.

   But Pedersen said the Syrian people are cautiously optimistic that President 
Donald Trump's announcement last week that the U.S. will lift sanctions and a 
similar EU announcement Tuesday will "give them a better chance than before to 
succeed against great odds."

   Speaking by video from Damascus, Pedersen called sanctions relief, including 
by the United Kingdom last month, as well as financial and energy support from 
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey "historic developments."

   "They hold major potential to improve living conditions across the country 
and to support the Syrian political transition," the U.N. special envoy said. 
"And they give the Syrian people a chance to grapple with the legacy of 
misrule, conflict, abuses and poverty from which they are trying to emerge."

   Former Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted in a lightning rebel 
offensive late last year after a 13-year war, ending more than 50 years of rule 
by the Assad family. The new Syrian government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, has 
said Syria's heritage of coexistence must be preserved at all costs, but the 
country faces massive challenges.

   Today, 90% of Syrians live in poverty, with 16.5 million needing protection 
and humanitarian assistance, including nearly 3 million facing acute food 
insecurity, Ramesh Rajasingham, the U.N. humanitarian division's chief 
coordinator, told the council.

   U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee 
on Wednesday that Syria is potentially "on the verge of collapse," warning that 
would lead to civil war and the country again becoming "a playground" for the 
Islamic State group and other militants.

   Pedersen told the Security Council that IS has been escalating attacks in 
areas of Syria in recent weeks, with signs of more coordinated operations using 
improvised explosive devices and medium-range weapons.

   Rubio said there's no guarantee that "things are going to work out" by 
lifting sanctions and working with al-Sharaa's transitional government, but if 
the U.S. didn't try, "it's guaranteed not to work out." He said Trump's 
announcement of sanctions relief has led regional and Arab partner nations to 
help stabilize the country.

   "No one should pretend this is going to be easy, because it's not," Rubio 
said. But if Syria could be stabilized, it would mean broader stability in the 
region, including Lebanon, Jordan and Israel, he said.

   "It is a historic opportunity we hope comes to fruition," Rubio said. "We're 
going to do everything we can to make it succeed."

   John Kelley, political coordinator at the U.S. mission to the United 
Nations, told the council that "U.S. government agencies are now working to 
execute the president's direction on Syria's sanctions."

   "We look forward to issuing the necessary authorizations that will be 
critical to bringing new investment into Syria to help rebuild Syria's economy 
and put the country on a path to a bright, prosperous and stable future," he 
said. "The United States also has taken the first steps toward restoring normal 
diplomatic relations with Syria."

   Syria's transitional government is urged to take "bold steps" toward Trump 
administration expectations, Kelley said, including making peace with Israel, 
quickly removing foreign militant fighters from the Syrian military, ensuring 
foreign extremists such as Palestinian militias can't operate from Syria, and 
cooperating in preventing the resurgence of the Islamic State group.

   Syria's deputy U.N. ambassador, Riyad Khaddour, praised Trump's "courageous 
decision" to lift sanctions as well as his meeting with al-Sharaa. Khaddour 
also touted actions by the European Union, U.K., Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar 
and the United Arab Emirates "to support Syria as it moves forward with 
confidence and hope."

   "The new Syria" is seeking to become "a state of peace and partnership, not 
a battleground for conflicts or a platform for foreign ambitions," he said.