"President Assad has been informed by (UN envoy Staffan) de Mistura of the main points of his initiative," said the statement issued after the two men held talks in Damascus.
"(Assad) said it was worthy of study and that work on it is needed... in order to re-establish security in Aleppo," it added.
It is De Mistura's second visit to Syria since he was appointed peace envoy in July.
On October 30, De Mistura put forward an "action plan" for Syria that proposed to "freeze" fighting in local areas to allow for aid deliveries and to lay the groundwork for peace talks.
According to the Syrian presidency Facebook page, Assad emphasised "the importance of Aleppo", which rebels and the army have been fighting over since July 2012.
State news agency SANA, meanwhile, quoted De Mistura as saying he was determined to ensure that his mission succeeds.
De Mistura had previously said Aleppo would be a "good candidate" to become a "freeze" zone.
The city has been split into rebel- and army-held areas since a major insurgent offensive began there.
Since December 2013, regime warplanes have carried out near daily air raids targeting rebel-held districts of what was once Syria's economic capital, reportedly killing mostly civilians, defying a UN Security Council ban on such strikes.
AFP
[hurriyetdailynews.com]
10/11/14
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UN envoy holds high-level talks with Syrian officials on plan to ‘freeze’ Aleppo conflict...
ReplyDeleteUN,10 November 2014 – In his effort to resolve the ongoing civil war in Syria and initiate peace talks between rebel forces and the Syrian Government, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, today reported “constructive discussions” with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regarding his recent proposal on incremental “freezes” to be applied to specific zones of conflict.
Mr. de Mistura’s plan, first presented to the Security Council on 30 October, would initially seek to freeze the fighting and create an environment whereby humanitarian aid could reach the beleaguered population in Aleppo. Additionally, it would also provide visible proof that the on-the-ground narrative can be shifted from a military one to a political one...................http://www.ellanodikhs.net/2014/11/un-envoy-holds-high-level-talks-with.html
10/11/14
Doubts cast over Assad’s ceasefire intentions ...
ReplyDeleteThe United States on Monday cast doubt on reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is ready to implement a U.N. plan for local ceasefires, saying the regime had a poor record sticking to truces.
“We certainly support ceasefires that would provide genuine relief to Syrian civilians and are consistent with humanitarian principles,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
But she added that “unfortunately many local truces achieved thus far have more closely resembled surrender arrangements, as opposed to genuine, sustainable ceasefire arrangements.”
Washington’s view “continues to be that the Assad regime bears overwhelming responsibility for this humanitarian disaster and the daily suffering of the Syrian people,” Psaki told reporters.
“We’re just cognizant of the history on some of these local ceasefires.”
Psaki also acknowledged that “we’re obviously not at the place right now where both sides are going to be back at the table” to negotiate a peace deal after the failure of Geneva talks earlier this year...................http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/11/11/Syria-s-Assad-says-U-N-truce-plan-worth-studying-.html
11/11/14
UN's Staffan de Mistura hopeful for truce ...
ReplyDeleteThe UN mediator in the Syrian conflict, Staffan de Mistura, has told the BBC he believes there is a fresh opportunity to resolve the country's crisis.
He said truce measures could succeed because of the common threat from Islamic State (IS) militants, as well as a growing weariness with conflict.
The UN has called for "freeze zones" to halt fighting and improve aid..................http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29999157
11/11/14