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20 January 2014 – “Intensive and urgent” discussions are currently
under way over this week’s United Nations peace conference in
Switzerland that seeks to end the nearly three-year-old Syrian civil war
following the reported emergence of problems, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.“I will have more to say about the situation later in the day,” he told the Security Council at the start of a debate on the Middle East, without elucidating on the problems beyond noting: “You will be aware of the latest developments concerning the Geneva Conference on Syria.
“For the moment, let me just appeal again for all involved to keep the needs of the Syrian people foremost in mind.”
According to published reports, Syria’s political opposition said today it will withdraw from the talks unless Mr. Ban retracts the invitation to Iran to attend the conference in Switzerland, which he announced last night.
The United States has suggested it could support Iran’s participation if it explicitly declares its support for a June 2012 plan for a political transition that Washington says means that President Bashar al-Assad would have to step down, according to these reports.
Mr. Ban announced last night that after “intensive” meetings and telephone conversations with many global leaders and others who are part of the diplomatic effort on Syria, he has decided to also invite Iran together with Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Greece, the Holy See, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea to the 22 January opening gathering in Montreux, near Geneva.
“I believe the expanded international presence on that day will be an important and useful show of solidarity in advance of the hard work that the Syrian Government and opposition delegations will begin two days later in Geneva,” he added, stressing that he believes strongly that Iran needs to be part of the solution to the Syrian crisis.
Well over 100,000 people have been killed and more than 8 million others driven from their homes since the conflict erupted in March 2011 between the Government and various groups seeking the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.
More than 30 other countries and organizations, including the Security Council’s five permanent members had already been invited to the conference last month.
un.org
20/1/14
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China offers constructive role in resolving Syrian crisis...
ReplyDeleteChinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, will lead China's delegation at the Geneva II conference scheduled to start on Wednesday. Before leaving for Switzerland, Wang outlined China's five principles for resolving the Syrian conflict.
China's Foreign Minister remained firm about how it thought the Syrian crisis should be solved.
"Firstly, the Syrian issue must be resolved through political means. The future of Syria must be decided by the Syrian people. An inclusive political transition process must be promoted. National reconciliation and unity must be achieved in Syria. And finally, humanitarian assistance must be delivered to refugees both in the country and abroad," Wang Yi said...............http://english.cntv.cn/program/newsupdate/20140120/103229.shtml
20/1/14