Amman, December 15, 2024 – The Arab Ministerial Contact Committee on Syria has issued a strong call for support in facilitating an inclusive political transition in Syria, emphasizing the need to uphold the rights of all Syrians, irrespective of race, sect, or religion, while ensuring justice and equality for every citizen. In a comprehensive final statement released following a meeting in Aqaba, Jordan, the committee highlighted the critical importance of a peaceful, Syrian-led political transition, which includes the full representation of Syrian political, social, and civil society forces.
The meeting was convened at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with participation from foreign ministers of the member states of the Arab Ministerial Contact Committee on Syria, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and Qatar, as well as the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. The gathering also saw the involvement of the foreign ministers of the UAE, Bahrain, and the current President of the Arab Summit.
At the heart of the statement was a unified call for a political process that would result in a peaceful transition, where all Syrians would be able to participate freely and fairly, with particular emphasis on the involvement of women, youth, and civil society. The committee reaffirmed support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for a Syrian-led political transition, including the establishment of a transitional governing body that is formed through consensus among Syrian factions. This transition, the committee stressed, should lead to a new political system that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people, achieved through free elections supervised by the United Nations and a new constitution ratified by the Syrians themselves.
The committee also voiced its continued support for the United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, calling for increased resources and a robust UN mission to assist in Syria's transition. The statement underscored the necessity of a national dialogue among all sectors of Syrian society, which it described as critical to achieving a secure, stable, and unified Syria.
Another pivotal aspect of the committee's statement was the urgent call for an immediate cessation of all military operations in Syria. The committee reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights of the Syrian people and ensuring that all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or sectarian backgrounds, are afforded equal protection under the law.
The Arab Ministerial Contact Committee also voiced strong condemnation of Israel’s recent military actions in Syria, particularly its incursions into the buffer zone with Syria and attacks on adjacent sites in the Mount Hermon, Quneitra, and Damascus regions. The committee denounced these actions as violations of international law, specifically the 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel, and called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territories. Furthermore, the committee reaffirmed that the Golan Heights is an occupied Syrian land and reiterated its demand for the end of Israeli occupation in the region.
In addition to these key points, the committee emphasized the importance of providing humanitarian support to the Syrian people, particularly in the form of cooperation with relevant United Nations agencies. The committee also called for creating the necessary conditions for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, with the aid of international partners, and advocated for national reconciliation and the application of transitional justice to end the ongoing bloodshed and suffering of the Syrian population.
The committee also affirmed that Syria’s security and stability are essential to the broader stability of the region and pledged continued support to the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild a unified, stable, and secure state. The statement concluded by stressing that the Arab world, in collaboration with the international community, must coordinate efforts to support Syria’s political transition, in accordance with international resolutions and the principles outlined in the statement.
The committee's meeting in Aqaba is a significant step in reinforcing Arab unity and commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis, and it marks a renewed effort to help Syria emerge from its prolonged conflict with a future that meets the aspirations of its people. The committee will continue to engage with the international community to shape a comprehensive approach to support Syria’s recovery and ensure that the rights and dignity of the Syrian people are upheld in the process.