"The scale of violence and instability in Syria is extremely alarming" - Special Envoy

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said the scale of violence and instability in Syria is “extremely alarming” with an “ever-rising death toll” and millions of people displaced adding that these dynamics “can and must change.”
Briefing the Security Council, Pedersen said “untold tens of thousands” are detained or missing in Syria and large parts of the Syrian territory remained “fragmented between different actors”, while a resurgent ISIL is “stepping up its guerrilla attacks.”
In Idlib, he said violence continues unabated, and stressed that counterterrorism tactics cannot put at risk the lives of three million civilians who have a right to protection under international humanitarian law. He emphasized that the solution to the situation in the country needs to be a political one.
Pedersen said tensions between Israel and Iran are “extremely worrying”, particularly following a series of Israeli airstrikes on the outskirts of Damascus. and urged all parties to “respect the sovereignty of Syria and indeed of all states in the area, by refraining from attacks and provocations and showing maximum restraint, both in action and in rhetoric.”
The Special Envoy said, despite the fighting, he has spared no effort in facilitating intra-Syrian negotiation to develop a new constitution and conduct free and fair elections under UN supervision. Regarding the constitutional committee, He said there is a strong understanding among the parties on two equal co-chairs - one nominated by the government and the other by the opposition; on UN facilitation, on a 75 percent voting threshold while striving for consensus; on a large body of 150 members and small body of 45 members; and on a clear commitment to guaranteeing the safety and security of the committee members and their relatives. He assessed that the outstanding difference were comparatively minor and was hopeful that the UN would be in a position to announce an agreement before the General Assembly.