In a letter obtained by The National, UN Secretary General Antonio Guteres has informed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that he wishes to appoint the veteran Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen as the UN Special Envoy to Syria.
The two-page document was sent to the UNSC on Tuesday, and it revealed that after broad consultations – including with the Syrian government – Mr Pedersen is the choice to succeed Staffan de Mistura, who will stand down at the end of November.
“I am pleased to inform you of my intention to announce the appointment of Mr Geir O Pedersen as my Special Envoy for Syria. In taking this decision, I have consulted broadly, including with the government of the Syrian Arab Republic,” Mr Guterres wrote.
Mr Guterres thanked Mr de Mistura for his “more than four years of concerted efforts and contributions to search for peace in Syria.”
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He said Mr Pedersen will support the Syrian parties by facilitating an inclusive and credible political solution that meets the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people," the letter read.
Mr Pedersen is a seasoned Norwegian diplomat with extensive experience in the Middle East. He serves as his country's ambassador to China, and prior to that he was permanent representative of Norway to the UN.
In the Middle East, Mr Pedersen served as the UN special coordinator for Lebanon between 2005 and 2008.
Between 1998 and 2003, he was Norway's representative to the Palestinian Authority. He also took part in secret negotiations that led to Oslo Agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis in 1993.
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported on 20 October that Mr Guterres had nominated Mr Pederson for the role after Mr de Mistura stepped down and was waiting for "necessary approvals" from Russia and the Syrian government.
On Monday, Russian Permanent Representative at the UN Vasily Nebenzya announced his country had no objections against Mr Pederson’s candidacy. The main thing is that the Syrian government also has no objections, he told reporters in New York.
The UNSC has a period between two to seven days to respond to Mr Guterres, but the appointment is expected to confirmed and made public this week.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
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Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
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