Published February 27,2024
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The UN particular envoy for Syria on Tuesday issued a proper invitation for a ninth spherical of peace talks in Geneva for late April.
Speaking at a UN Security Council session on the scenario within the Middle East, Geir Pedersen stated the earlier invitation for Syrian-led, UN-facilitated talks didn’t happen as a result of “Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed this month that Russia no longer considers Switzerland a neutral venue and the Syrian government did not accept Geneva as a result.”
Pledging to help another venue that the Assad regime and Syrian negotiations fee might agree on, Pedersen additionally stated: “The only way forward at this time is to reconvene in Geneva at least as a breaching proposal. While there is no consensus on an alternative venue, whilst also remaining open to an alternative venue for future sessions, if consensus is found.”
“I am today issuing formal invitations for a ninth round in Geneva in late April,” he added.
Urging all worldwide stakeholders to help UN actions, Pedersen additionally known as on them to “refrain from interfering regarding a venue Syrian parties themselves had formally agreed.”
The Syrian civil struggle started in 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.
According to UN estimates, a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals have since been killed and hundreds of thousands extra displaced.
Pedersen additionally voiced issues over rising tensions within the area, saying that it must be “urgently de-escalating, stopping with the immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza that the Secretary General has called for.”
He additional urged an “urgent de-escalation inside Syria, building on existing ceasefire arrangements towards a nationwide ceasefire in line with Resolution 2254,” which requires a cease-fire and political settlement in Syria.
“Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected,” he added.
Source: www.anews.com.tr