UN briefing from Damascus welcomes lifting of sanctions, urges reforms and warns of renewed violence

A United Nations representative briefing the Security Council from Damascus welcomed international steps to lift sanctions on Syria and urged interim authorities to pursue economic and governance reforms while cautioning that the country still faces risks of renewed violence.

“These are indeed historic developments,” the UN representative said, referring to recent announcements by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom to end or lift sanctions. The official said the moves could improve living conditions and create space for a political transition, but added that Syria’s economy remains “ravaged by over a decade of war” and will require sustained reform and international support.

The briefing said interim authorities issued decrees to establish two bodies — a National Commission for Transitional Justice and a National Commission for Missing Persons — and appointed their heads, giving them 30 days to form teams…