Off the wire
• At least 22 mln to be food insecure in E. Africa over El-Nino: UN  • "Genome sequencing lab in suitcase" can monitor epidemic outbreaks in resource-limited area  • UN reviews humanitarian financing for 125 million people in need  • Chinese economy remains major powerhouse for Africa's growth  • Feature: Returned Egyptians recall joyful Chinese Spring Festival  • Russia, Oman sign mutual visa exemption agreement  • Slovak teachers call on special parliamentary session  • British services PMI rises to 55.6 in January  • British FTSE 100 decreases 1.43 pct on Wednesday  • UN agency urges Australia to refrain from transferring individuals to Nauru  
You are here: 　 Home

1st LD Writethru: UN special envoy announces temporary pause of intra-Syrian talks

Xinhua, February 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura announced Wednesday evening here in a Geneva hotel the temporary pause of intra-Syrian talks, saying the talks is to be resumed on Feb. 25.

He told reporters that this is "not a failure of talks" and he is not frustrated or disappointed but will remain "determined and realistic" in the face of challenges.

The Special Envoy stressed that the temporary pause of intra-Syrian talks does not indicate that discussions have broken down, though more work needs to be done by all sides involved.

"This is not the end and this is not the failure of the talks," he said.

De Mistura highlighted that both sides are interested in starting the political process, adding that a date for the resumption of talks had been set for Feb. 25.

"I will be asking for the ISSG (International Syria Support Group) to convene as soon as possible, hopefully already in Munich, the Security Council to meet, and we reconvene in Geneva again on Feb. 25," he said.

Since no tangible improvements for the Syrian people have been produced since talks were launched last week, the special envoy deemed it wise to instigate this temporary pause.

De Mistura further announced that he will be probably travelling to London on Thursday for this year's Syria donor conference. Endit