UN envoy calls 'temporary pause' for Syria talks in Geneva
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 February 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, UN envoy calls 'temporary pause' for Syria talks in Geneva, 3 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c42994c.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 03, 2016
UN mediator for Syria Staffan de Mistura gestures during a news conference on the Syrian peace talks outside President Wilson hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 3.
The United Nations' envoy on Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has announced a "temporary pause" for talks in Geneva aimed at resolving Syria's civil war.
Speaking on February 3 after separate meetings with Syrian government delegates and opposition representatives, De Mistura said he had set a date of February 25 for talks to resume.
De Mistura said he had concluded "frankly that after the first week of preparatory talks there is more work to be done, not only by us but by the stakeholders."
He said, "I have indicated from the first day that I won't talk for the sake of talking."
De Mistura insisted that the talks had not failed, but said the peace process needs immediate help from international backers led by the United States and Russia to resolve outstanding issues.
Syrian opposition delegates at the Geneva talks have demanded that aid be allowed into 18 besieged opposition-controlled areas of Syria.
But although Damascus has allowed some aid deliveries in recent days, an ongoing government offensive that is backed by Russian air strikes has infuriated opposition delegates in Geneva.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
