UN envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi affirmed that the two former rounds of Geneva II talks did not achieve benefit or progress, apologizing for the Syrian people who had aspirations that something could be achieved.
UN envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi affirmed that the two former rounds of talks, within the International Conference on Syria, Geneva2, between the Syrian government delegation and the coalition delegation did
n’t achieve benefit or progress, apologizing for the Syrian people who had aspirations that something could be achieved by the talks in Geneva.
During a press conference in Geneva on Saturday, Brahimi hoped the two sides would “think through a better way and return with willingness to engage seriously in the implantation process of Geneva 1 communique.”
Brahimi said that today’s last session was difficult and hard like all previous meetings, but an agreement has been made on the agenda of the upcoming session when convened.
He added that the agenda includes 4 points which he has proposed at the beginning of second round, with violence and terrorism first and the ‘’transitional governing body’’ second, national institutions third and the national interests body and national dialogue fourth.
‘’As you know, the government’s delegation considers discussing terrorism a priority while the opposition believes that the transitional governing body should come first.’’
Brahimi said he sees it better that ‘’each side returns to their reference and thinks whether he wants this process to move forward or not.’’
“I will discuss the situation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. I believe we need to discuss it in a trilateral format with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov,” he said.
Brahimi reiterated that Geneva communique helps the two sides and ‘’ helps me as an international mediator to chart the long way forward that will lead to ending the crisis in Syria.’’
Brahimi called on those involved in the crisis to “spare a thought for the fate and suffering of the Syrian people, and the attendant large-scale destruction and immense humanitarian problems.”
Asked if he intends to put a different agenda in case he did not obtain a commitment by both sides according to the current agenda, Brahimi said ‘’In fact, we have agreed on the agenda and it is important that we discuss they way to work it out.’’
The Syrian official delegation has agreed to the current agenda ‘’but the way to tackle the items is what they have not agreed to,’’ Brahimi added.
I hope there will be a third round, he pointed out.
The US and Russia are partners to the United Nations in their efforts, Brahimi said. ‘’I have repeatedly said that the UN, Russia and the US can never turn their back to the crisis, and we seek to expand the scope of work for bringing the crisis in Syria to an end.’’
