Doha, Qatar - December 07, 2024 United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen on Sunday called on the warring parties in Syria to ease the current tense situation, protect civilians, and achieve de-escalation of the conflict in the war-torn country. The fighting between government forces and rebel groups, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has seen a sharp escalation for territorial gains since Nov 27. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the 22nd Doha Forum on Sunday, Pedersen said the situation in Syria "is changing by the minute," urging the relevant parties to avoid bloodshed in the country and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law. He also called for an emergency political meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, in a bid to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254. U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in December 2015, sets out a roadmap for a ceasefire across Syria which is linked to a peace process leading to a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process facilitated by the U.N. Pedersen further said that he had held a meeting with the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Türkiye earlier in the day and also consulted with representatives from the United States, France, Britain, and Germany. All parties agreed on the matter, hoping that the date for emergency meeting will be announced as soon as possible, he added. The 22nd Doha Forum commenced on Saturday in Qatar's capital, bringing together senior officials from around the globe to address pressing international issues. Shotlist: Doha, Qatar - Dec 7, 2024: 1. Various of sign of Doha Forum; 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Geir O. Pedersen, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria: "I reiterate my call for de-escalation, for calm, for the avoidance of bloodshed, and the protection of civilians in line with international humanitarian law."; Damascus, Syria - Dec 6, 2024 3. Aerial shots of cityscape; Hama Province, Syria - Dec 4, 2024 4. Street scene, vehicles, pedestrians; 5. Various of soldiers on street. [Restriction - No Access Chinese Mainland/Orient TV/Syria Alshaab TV/Zanoubia TV/Alhurra TV/ANN TV/Al Jazeera/ Al-Arabiya TV]