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UN envoy says still working hard to ensure scheduled Syrian peace talks

Xinhua, January 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said on Wednesday that he and his team will continue working hard to issue the invitations in order to ensure maximum inclusivity with a view to start the intra-Syrian peace talks in Geneva on Jan. 25.

After meeting with representatives from the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council (the P5) in Geneva Wednesday evening, the special envoy told reporters that the P5 officials undertook to press for immediate action in support of the efforts in the coming few days.

During the meeting with officials from the P5, namely the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China, the special envoy updated them on his latest regional travels and the resulting impressions about preparations for the Geneva Talks.

He also highlighted that "the crucial importance for the people of Syria to see sustained and unimpeded access to a number of besieged areas in the lead-up to the Talks."

Several Syrian rebel groups have said on Wednesday that they would not partake in the upcoming peace talks in Geneva unless a recently endorsed UN humanitarian resolution is implemented.

The resolution urges the warring sides in Syria to allow humanitarian access to all civilians in need.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said earlier that a list of the opposition forces which are coming to Geneva should be prepared, because "the Syrian government will not be holding dialogue with ghosts." Endit