All Syrian voices must be heard: UN

NEW YORK, United States - Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized on Wednesday the importance of ensuring that all Syrian voices are heard as the country moves through a transitional phase.

“It is important that all voices in Syria be heard as the transitional authorities transition to a new Syria, to a new political system, that all religious groups, all nationalities, and ethnicities feel represented and feel safe in Syria. And I think that is our message to the Syrian authorities,” Dujarric told Rudaw during a press briefing.  

Following a swift offensive, a coalition of rebel groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad on December 8.

On January 30, Sharaa was appointed as Syria's interim president. He then vowed to form an “inclusive transitional government that would reflect Syria's diversity,” hold "free and fair elections," and preserve the country’s "civil peace" and territorial unity.

The new Syrian authorities have come under fire for sidelining ethnic and religious minorities. The UN has repeatedly called for the formation of an inclusive government. 

Russia was the main backer of the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad. 

Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, told Rudaw on Wednesday that the solution for the Syrian crisis is “a united Syria with equal citizenship for all its members despite their religion, nationality, or other factors.”