1st LD: Syria agrees on UN envoy plan for discussion over Syria crisis

The Syrian government agreed on the plan recently put forward by the UN special envoy to Syria, which calls for consultations and discussions with Syrian parties in four thematic working groups, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem told the UN General Assembly on Friday.

During his speech at the UN headquarters in New York Friday, al-Moallem declared the Syrian government consented on participating in the consultations and discussions that have been proposed by UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

"Syria agrees to take part in the four working groups that have been proposed by Mistura after he affirmed (to the Syrian side) that the consultations are not binding but could be useful in launching a third round of talks in Geneva," according to al-Moallem.

In July, Mistura put forth the initiative before the UN Security Council, which calls for consultations and discussions with Syrian parties in four thematic working groups.

"The Working Groups are intended to provide Syrians with a platform to address in-depth themes that are certainly not new, but have lacked to date sustained intra-Syrian discussion," Mistura said.

He hoped the outcome of the discussions could eventually set the stage for a Syrian agreement to end the conflict on the basis of the Geneva Communique, which was agreed upon in 2012.

The Geneva Communique sets key steps for transition, including the establishment of a transitional governing body that includes members of the current government and the opposition, an inclusive national dialogue, and a review of the current constitution and legal system. Endit