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Pedersen Calls for "Free and Fair" Elections Following the Transitional Period in Syria

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called from Damascus on Wednesday for organizing "free and fair" elections as the anticipated transitional period approaches in three months. He expressed hope for reaching a "political solution" with the Kurdish self-administration.
Pedersen concluded his visit to Damascus, where he met on Sunday with Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, known as Ahmad al-Shara.
In statements to journalists outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, Pedersen clarified: "We now see a new beginning for Syria, which will rely, according to Security Council Resolution 2254, on a new constitution that constitutes a social contract for all Syrians, and we expect free and fair elections to be held in due course after the transitional period."
Pedersen emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and underscored the importance of rebuilding Syria and enhancing economic recovery, expressing hope for the initiation of a process to lift imposed sanctions.
He added, "The political transition must include broad representation from the Syrian community and parties." He noted that there is stability in Damascus but added that challenges remain in some areas, particularly the situation in the northeast of the country.
Pedersen expressed satisfaction with the extension of the ceasefire, considering it a positive step, while hoping for a lasting political solution to these issues.
In a related context, the United States announced on Tuesday the successful mediation in extending the ceasefire between Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish fighters in the Manbij area, indicating its efforts to develop a broader understanding with Ankara.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the ceasefire in Manbij, which had expired, "has been extended until the end of the week," confirming that Washington will work to prolong the ceasefire as much as possible in the future.
Despite the Kurdish self-administration's readiness to engage in dialogue with the new authority in Damascus, the military commander of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, Marhaf Abu Qasrah, known as Abu Hasan al-Hamwi, declared that areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces will be incorporated into the new administration, asserting that "Syria will not be fragmented and there will be no federations."
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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