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S/PV.8181 The situation in the Middle East 14/02/2018 4/13 18-04189 Nations in Geneva is to establish a schedule and process for drafting a new Constitution within the framework of resolution 2254 (2015). We have been assured by the Russian Federation that it will endeavour to ensure that the Government of Syria fully supports the official outcome of the Congress in Sochi, at which many Syrian Government officials were present. I also take note that the Syrian negotiations commission — that is the opposition embracing all those components specifically mentioned by name in resolution 2254 (2015) — has issued a public statement that is generally positive with regard to moving forward on a constitutional committee under the auspices of the United Nations in Geneva.Since the Vienna and Sochi meetings, both of which were important, I have consulted intensively on the establishment of a constitutional committee. I have had initial discussions so far in Geneva with representatives of the Government of Syria, the Syrian negotiations commissions and a number of other Governments. My team remains in touch with a wide array of Syrian women and men, and I continue to look carefully at the candidates for the constitutional committee, which was conceived in Sochi, and other relevant input. I also continue to pursue the convening of further formal intra-Syrian talks to make progress with regard to all four baskets of the political process in Geneva pursuant to resolution 2254 (2015). I am particularly aware of the need to focus, now more than ever, on the establishment of a secure, calm and neutral environment if a constitutional process is to happen and if United Nations-supervised presidential and parliamentary elections are to take place under a new constitution, as envisaged in resolution 2254 (2015). From here, I will be travelling to Munich, God willing, where I will consult with the Secretary-General and join a number of ministers and other senior officials who will be present at the Munich Security Conference.Herewith is the bottom line of my statement. I intend to strike while the iron is hot and move forward the Geneva process, in consultation with all concerned. To do that, I will need all members of the Security Council — that is, the Council as a whole — and all those who have influence on the Syrian parties, including the Astana guarantors, among others, to push hard on three main points. First, they must work towards de-escaltion, civilian protection and humanitarian access. Secondly, they must work to support the United Nations in Geneva so that the Sochi final declaration can take effect within the framework of resolution 2254 (2015). Thirdly, they must work to support the United Nations in facilitating the political process for the full implementation of resolution 2254 (2015), in particular with regard to advancing real issues in the basket to promote a safe, calm and neutral environment.The Syrian people and the United Nations need the Security Council’s support now more than ever.The President (spoke in Arabic): I thank Mr. De Mistura for his briefing.I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.Mrs. Haley (United States of America): I thank Staffan de Mistura for his briefing and all his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Syria. The United States fully supports his initiative to bring the parties back to Geneva and begin work on a new constitutional committee in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015), but we are not going to bring about peace as the situation on the ground continues to escalate with dire risks for the security of the entire region.Earlier this week, Iranian-backed militias in southern Syria launched a drone into Israeli territory. It was an egregious and unprompted escalation. Iran was once again doing what it does: risking conflict and testing the will of its neighbours and opponents to resist its aggression. Israel rightly took action to defend itself. The United States will always stand by its ally when confronted by provocations from Iran, Hizbullah or the Al-Assad regime, but that incident shines a spotlight on the reality in Syria today. We are seeing actors engage in a dangerous game of pushing boundaries instead of behaving responsibly and committing to peace.Last week, pro-regime forces launched an unprovoked attack against the Syrian Democratic Forces and advisors from the coalition to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham. This was a large attack involving numerous tanks, artillery and fighters. The coalition acted in self-defence to repel the attack, and the United States will always reserve the right to act in self-defence. But the attack showed the recklessness of pro-regime fighters. Parties on the ground need to adhere to all established deconfliction mechanisms, and ensure that nothing like that ever happens again.The Al-Assad regime has become a front for Iran, Hizbullah and their allies to advance their irresponsible and dangerous agenda for the Middle East. On every front of the conflict, we find fighters imported by Ira