Ahmad Fawzi, head of the UN information office at Geneva, told reporters Tuesday that the UN Special Envoy is "intensively occupied with preparations for the Intra Syrian Talks" in order for them to start next week.
He said that the Special Envoy has recently briefed the UN Security Council by video link from Geneva, and was in touch with both Security Council members and the UN Secretary-General.
The Special Envoy was also in contact with members of the International Syrian Support Group in an effort to find agreement on the list of participants for the meeting.
"The Special Envoy is expecting the countries spearheading the International Syrian Support Group to come to an understanding on who among the opposition should be invited," he said.
According to him, the UN Secretary-General himself has urged countries that have an influence to redouble their efforts to reach that agreement, so the Special Envoy could send out invitations.
"All Services at the United Nations Office at Geneva have been preparing for many weeks and are standing by to do everything required to get the talks on the road," he noted.
Xinhua -china.org.cn
20/1/16
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Syria's opposition says cannot attend talks if third party joins...
ReplyDeleteA Syrian opposition council backed by Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it will not attend next week's peace negotiations with the government if a third group takes part, a reference to a Russian bid to widen the opposition's team.
Riad Hijab, who heads the council formed in Riyadh last month, accused Russia of impeding negotiations, and also told a news conference in Riyadh that the opposition could not negotiate while Syrians were dying from blockades and bombardment.
He also announced the names of opposition figures that would negotiate on behalf of the council in any talks......reuters.com