Increasing UN Concerns Over Developments in Syria
March 8, 2025, 12:32 pm

Increasing UN Concerns Over Developments in Syria

الساحل السوري

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of clashes in the coastal regions of Syria, where confrontations occurred between transitional authorities and supporters of the previous regime, amid troubling reports of civilian casualties.

In a statement on Friday morning, Pedersen emphasized the “urgent need for restraint from all parties involved, with a focus on full respect for the protection of civilians in accordance with international law.” He called on all parties to avoid actions that could escalate tensions or worsen the suffering of the population, stressing the importance of facilitating a credible and comprehensive political transition.

On another front, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed the Secretary-General António Guterres’s concern regarding these events, strongly condemning all acts of violence in Syria and calling for the protection of civilians and a halt to hostilities. Dujarric affirmed that Guterres is worried about the rising tensions among Syrian communities, highlighting the significance of achieving reconciliation and a peaceful political transition as a priority after 14 years of conflict. He noted that the Syrian people deserve sustainable peace, justice, and development.

In a related context, a meeting of the UN Security Council was held to address the issue of chemical weapons in Syria. During the meeting, the Syrian Ambassador, Qusai Al-Dahhak, stated that the Syrian government is seeking to implement a new foreign policy committed to international law, reiterating its commitment to cooperate with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to resolve this issue.

Al-Dahhak also expressed concern about the logistical and technical complications resulting from recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria on December 9, 2024, calling for the restoration of Syria’s rights within the OPCW and the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country, which he said hinder development efforts.

In response, the Turkish Ambassador to the UN, Ahmet Yıldız, condemned the Israeli attacks on Syria, urging the Security Council to take effective steps regarding these violations that threaten international peace and security. He indicated that the visit of the Director-General of the OPCW to Syria could represent a “turning point” in cooperation between the two sides, commending Qatar’s efforts in supporting Syrian interests.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, affirmed Russia’s vital role in Syria’s accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013, during which its arsenal was placed under international control. While supporting any progress on this issue, Nebenzya expressed concern about the OPCW's ability to carry out its tasks impartially, warning against the politicization of the organization’s work. He emphasized that the unstable conditions in Syria make verifying chemical weapons “not a top priority” at the moment.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.