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31Jan14

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UN mediator calls for resumption of Syria talks on Feb. 10

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The United Nations mediator for the talks between the Syrian government and the opposition on Friday called for a resumption of talks on Feb. 10.

Speaking at the 50th Munich Security Conference here, the United Nations-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi called for a resumption of talks in the Swiss city of Geneva on Feb. 10.

"That's not 100 percent certain, but I hope it will happen."

He called for those who have influence on the Syrian government and the opposition to do their best to make sure people will come back for talks. Brahimi expressed his hope that the discussions on Feb. 10 will be "a little bit more constructive" and the opposing sides will be ready to discuss seriously "how this war is going to be finished and how the people of Syria are going to start building what I called a new Syria."

With regard to the talks that lasted eight days in Geneva, Brahimi said there was no progress. Briefing participants at the conference, Brahimi said he was "embarrassed" and "ashamed."

Brahimi mentioned some improvement during the talks. "They talked at first through me and then from time to time address to one another directly,"he said.

Brahinmi told a press conference in Geneva that this round of Syria talks was a "difficult start" and progress was slow, but the sides "have become used to sitting in the same room" and have "engaged in an acceptable manner."

"This is a modest beginning on which we can build," he said.

According to Brahimi, the two sides discussed situation on the ground in the war-torn country with the mediation of himself, and the besieged Homs was "extensively discussed."

[Source: Xinhua, Munich, 31Jan14]

Syria War

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