UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen is hoping for steady progress from talks between Syria’s government, opposition and civil society. EPA
UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen is hoping for steady progress from talks between Syria’s government, opposition and civil society. EPA
UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen is hoping for steady progress from talks between Syria’s government, opposition and civil society. EPA
UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen is hoping for steady progress from talks between Syria’s government, opposition and civil society. EPA

MENA

Syria

Syria talks to begin in Geneva this week

UN envoy Geir Pedersen hopeful of outcome and urges officials to act seriously to draft new constitution

Mina Aldroubi
Mina Aldroubi

March 21, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Representatives of Syria’s government, opposition and civil society are set to begin UN-led talks to draft a new constitution this week.

Set in the Swiss city of Geneva, the talks will be the seventh round between 15 members of each of Syria’s three factions. The latest round in October ended with no agreement on how to move forward.

The UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, said the parties have agreed on a deal and decided to meet again with his help.

Mr Pedersen has met those who co-chair the committee and they have agreed on a work agenda for the coming week. But said he is sceptical due to the failures of the previous tslks.

“If the three delegations do what they have said they will do, I hope that we can see some steady progress,” Mr Pedersen said. “But I learnt that through the six previous rounds of talks, I should not prejudge the outcome of the discussion.”

Mr Pedersen said the negotiations would seek to draft for popular approval, a reform, either through an amendment of the current constitution or by drafting a new one.

“I have consistently said that the committee should work in a way that builds trust and confidence. And during this session, I hope to see the constitution committee work with a sense of seriousness and purpose and determination to make progress that the situation demands,” said the UN official.

Part of Syria’s road to peace, pushed by the UN in 2012, is the drafting of a new constitution, followed by supervised elections.

However, last May, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad held presidential elections, which he won by a landslide, official figures showed.

It was considered a sham by western countries.

“Let me start by emphasising the obvious, and that is that Syria remains one of the gravest crises in the world and that there is a clear need for progress towards a political solution,” Mr Pedersen said.

Children displaced by Syria's civil war – in pictures

Twins Maha, right, and Mohammad Al Obaid, 11, were born in 2011, the year the Syrian war started. Displaced from Ras Al Ain in north-east Syria three years ago, they are pictured at a school on the outskirts of north-eastern city Hassakeh. All photos: AFP
Twins Maha, right, and Mohammad Al Obaid, 11, were born in 2011, the year the Syrian war started. Displaced from Ras Al Ain in north-east Syria three years ago, they are pictured at a school on the outskirts of north-eastern city Hassakeh. All photos: AFP
Nimr Alaywi, 11, who was also displaced from Ras Al Ain three years ago, at a school near Hassakeh.
Nimr Alaywi, 11, who was also displaced from Ras Al Ain three years ago, at a school near Hassakeh.
Amani Mahmud, 11, whose family fled Ras Al Ain, pictured at the school near Hassakeh. According to some estimates, 13.3 million Syrians have fled their homes since the civil war began on March 15, 2011.
Amani Mahmud, 11, whose family fled Ras Al Ain, pictured at the school near Hassakeh. According to some estimates, 13.3 million Syrians have fled their homes since the civil war began on March 15, 2011.
Mohammad Issa, 11, who was also displaced from Ras Al Ain, at the school near Hassakeh.
Mohammad Issa, 11, who was also displaced from Ras Al Ain, at the school near Hassakeh.
Assil Alaywi, 11, whose family also fled Ras Al Ain for Hassakeh three years ago. Ras Al Ain was the scene of heavy fighting for much of the conflict.
Assil Alaywi, 11, whose family also fled Ras Al Ain for Hassakeh three years ago. Ras Al Ain was the scene of heavy fighting for much of the conflict.
Yazan Khodr, 11, at the school near Hassakeh, after his family fled Ras Al Ain. Various groups, including Syrian government forces, extremists and Kurdish fighters, vied for control of Ras Al Ain.
Yazan Khodr, 11, at the school near Hassakeh, after his family fled Ras Al Ain. Various groups, including Syrian government forces, extremists and Kurdish fighters, vied for control of Ras Al Ain.
Liana Ali, 11, in the school building on the outskirts of Hassakeh.
Liana Ali, 11, in the school building on the outskirts of Hassakeh.
Manaf Mahmud, 11, pictured at the school near Hassakeh. Around four million people, at least half of them displaced, now live in the northern region.
Manaf Mahmud, 11, pictured at the school near Hassakeh. Around four million people, at least half of them displaced, now live in the northern region.
Ahmad Abderrazzak, 11, at the school near Hassakeh.
Ahmad Abderrazzak, 11, at the school near Hassakeh.
Fatima Barkal, 11, at the school near Hassakeh.
Fatima Barkal, 11, at the school near Hassakeh.
Ammar Al Khodr, 11, at the school near Hassakeh.
Ammar Al Khodr, 11, at the school near Hassakeh.
Majd Hassan, 11, at the school near Hassakeh, north-east Syria.
Majd Hassan, 11, at the school near Hassakeh, north-east Syria.

The seventh round of talks will focus on the basics of governing, state identity, state symbols and the structure and functions of public authorities.

The delegates will spend one day working on each principle, before spending Friday trying to concretise any advances made.

The co-chairmen of the committee are Ahmad Kuzbari, head of government delegation, and Syrian opposition negotiations leader Hadi Al Bahra.

The Syrian war entered its 11th year in March. At least 500,000 people have been killed and half of the country’s population of 23 million has been displaced.

More than five million refugees have been scattered across the borders.

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Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.

Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.

Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.

Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile 

Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran

Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line

1962
250 GTO is unveiled

1969
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1972
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1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made

1987
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1988
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2002
The Enzo model is announced

2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi

2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled

2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives

2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company

2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street

2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary

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Height: 24 meters

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres  

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres

Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor 

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Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

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Transgender report
Updated: March 21, 2022, 8:52 AM`
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