U.S. Special Envoy to Syria: Syrian People’s Assembly elections illegitimate

DARAMSUQ (DAMASCUS) — The U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, James Jeffrey, described the 2020 elections of the Syrian People’s Assembly as a despicable provocation against Syrians, indicating that the U.S. will continue to apply political, economic, and diplomatic pressure on the Syrian regime.

In an interview with Sawa FM, Jeffrey commented on the 19 July elections, saying, “Damascus has never cared about the Syrian refugees and has not given them the opportunity to participate in politics.”

“The U.S. administration does not expect the elections to be fair or free,” Jeffrey stated, noting that, “What is different in the recent legislative elections is that half of the population of Syria has left the country across the border or as refugees, to escape the practices of the Syrian regime.”

In the interview, Jeffrey promised to impose more sanctions and apply more pressure on Damascus in the coming days. He also indicated that the U.S. has no intention of easing sanctions until the government of Syria is reformed.