Damascus: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani met with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen in Damascus to discuss security, stability, and transitional justice efforts, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry. The discussions emphasized the importance of maintaining the country's security and stability and enhancing cooperation between the Syrian government and the United Nations on various issues.

According to Anadolu Agency, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued a decree on May 18 to establish a transitional justice body. This body is tasked with uncovering violations committed by the former regime, holding perpetrators accountable, and providing reparations to victims.

The meeting between Al-Shaibani and Pedersen follows growing domestic and international calls for accountability on violations committed by the Assad regime during its crackdown against protests that began in March 2011. Documented violations include dozens of chemical weapons attacks, widespread aerial barrel bombings of populated areas, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and systematic torture in detention centers. These actions have resulted in the deaths and disappearances of hundreds of thousands of civilians, as reported by UN and international rights organizations.

Bashar al-Assad, who led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8, ending the Baath Party's long-standing regime, which had been in power since 1963. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who spearheaded the anti-regime forces that ousted Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in January.