UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen made his first visit to Damascus just one week after the fall of the Assad regime.

Pedersen arrived in Syria following the collapse of the Baath regime, marking a significant moment in the country’s turbulent history. His spokesperson, Jenifer Fenton, confirmed his arrival in Damascus but declined to provide further information about the visit. She also did not comment on whether Pedersen would meet with HTS (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leaving the question unanswered. 

Previously, Pedersen had emphasized the need for an inclusive transition to prevent another civil war in Syria. On 14 December, he attended Syria-focused meetings in Jordan, underlining his ongoing involvement in efforts to stabilize the region.