27 August 2013 – An international conference to resolve the crisis in Syria
will take place “at some point,” the Joint Special Representative of the United
Nations and the League of Arab States has said, reaffirming his belief a
political solution, and urging all partners to the negotiating table.
Speaking to journalist in Geneva, his spokesperson, Khawla Mattar, said Lakhdar Brahimi is “still confident that Geneva II would take place at some point.” She added that the conference will not be held in September, as originally thought, given the events and developments on the ground.
“All his team here, in Damascus and in New York are working to bring the two partners to the negotiating table and go through a political solution to convince the partners that there is no such thing as military solution to this war,” Ms. Mattar noted.
In June, discussions about the international meeting were held in Geneva with participation from senior United States, Russian and UN officials, led by Mr. Brahimi.
The goal of the conference would to be to achieve a political solution to the conflict in Syria through a comprehensive agreement between the Government and the opposition for the full implementation of the Geneva communiqué of 30 June 2012. Issued after a meeting of the Action Group for Syria, the document lays out key steps in a process to end the violence.
A meeting scheduled for tomorrow between Russia and the US had been “postponed, not cancelled”, Ms. Mattar said.
Mr. Brahimi expressed hope that the three partners who initiated the whole process would “be able to sit down and agree on the details” of the second round of the Syrian Peace conference, his spokesperson said.
Part of his role had actually been to bring them closer to each other in understanding on how to go forward and would continue to do that in order to have the conference “sooner rather than later,” she added.
She added that Mr. Brahimi thought that the recent escalation and accusation of the use of chemical weapons were actually proof to the whole world that more of it would only create a more complex solution.
“The only solution is to go to the negotiating table for a political solution,” Ms. Mattar said quoting the special envoy.
Also today, the top United Nations political official, Jeffrey Feltman, met with senior officials in Iran to discuss how that country, given its regional influence and leadership, can help bring the players in the Syrian crisis to the table.
Briefing on the UN’s preparation for the Geneva II conference, Mr. Feltman emphasized that the UN rejected a military approach to the crisis and expressed appreciation for statements from Iranian officials that the country is committed to facilitating a political solution.
The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs had consultations with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Deputy Foreign Ministers Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzadeh and Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other Iranian and diplomatic officials.
They also discussed the alleged use of use of chemical weapons in Syria, and how the UN can work together with Iran and other states to end the conflict, among other topics.
UN News Service
Speaking to journalist in Geneva, his spokesperson, Khawla Mattar, said Lakhdar Brahimi is “still confident that Geneva II would take place at some point.” She added that the conference will not be held in September, as originally thought, given the events and developments on the ground.
“All his team here, in Damascus and in New York are working to bring the two partners to the negotiating table and go through a political solution to convince the partners that there is no such thing as military solution to this war,” Ms. Mattar noted.
In June, discussions about the international meeting were held in Geneva with participation from senior United States, Russian and UN officials, led by Mr. Brahimi.
The goal of the conference would to be to achieve a political solution to the conflict in Syria through a comprehensive agreement between the Government and the opposition for the full implementation of the Geneva communiqué of 30 June 2012. Issued after a meeting of the Action Group for Syria, the document lays out key steps in a process to end the violence.
A meeting scheduled for tomorrow between Russia and the US had been “postponed, not cancelled”, Ms. Mattar said.
Mr. Brahimi expressed hope that the three partners who initiated the whole process would “be able to sit down and agree on the details” of the second round of the Syrian Peace conference, his spokesperson said.
Part of his role had actually been to bring them closer to each other in understanding on how to go forward and would continue to do that in order to have the conference “sooner rather than later,” she added.
She added that Mr. Brahimi thought that the recent escalation and accusation of the use of chemical weapons were actually proof to the whole world that more of it would only create a more complex solution.
“The only solution is to go to the negotiating table for a political solution,” Ms. Mattar said quoting the special envoy.
Also today, the top United Nations political official, Jeffrey Feltman, met with senior officials in Iran to discuss how that country, given its regional influence and leadership, can help bring the players in the Syrian crisis to the table.
Briefing on the UN’s preparation for the Geneva II conference, Mr. Feltman emphasized that the UN rejected a military approach to the crisis and expressed appreciation for statements from Iranian officials that the country is committed to facilitating a political solution.
The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs had consultations with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Deputy Foreign Ministers Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzadeh and Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other Iranian and diplomatic officials.
They also discussed the alleged use of use of chemical weapons in Syria, and how the UN can work together with Iran and other states to end the conflict, among other topics.
UN News Service
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