The UN welcomed Tuesday the “full humanitarian access” granted by the new Syrian authorities, who took power after ousting Bashar al-Assad, putting an end to more than half a century of unchallenged rule.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the interim government’s “commitment to protecting civilians, including humanitarian workers” and “agreed to grant full humanitarian access across all border crossing points,” in a press release released Monday.
The capture of Damascus on December 8 by a coalition of rebel groups led by the radical Islamists of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), at the end of a lightning offensive, brought down Bashar al-Assad.
The United Nations believes it can provide “ambitious” aid to Syria, the organization’s humanitarian affairs chief, Tom Fletcher, said Tuesday after a meeting with coalition leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who calls himself now by his real name, Ahmad al-Chareh.
“Moment of cautious hope in Syria,” also indicated, on the social network
Antonio Guterres also welcomed the fact that the new authorities had agreed “to reduce bureaucracy related to permits and visas for humanitarian workers; to ensure the continuity of essential government services, particularly in the areas of health and education; and to engage in genuine and concrete dialogue with the entire humanitarian community.”
“As the Syrian people seize the opportunity to build a better future, the international community must rally behind them,” he said.
According to Mr. Fletcher, Syria needs a “massive flow of aid” after the fall of Bashar al-Assad after more than a decade of civil war.