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EU top diplomat meets with Syrian opposition leaders days after air strike resumes

Xinhua, November 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Friday met with Syrian opposition leaders, days after Russian and Syrian war planes resumed their air strikes on several rebel-held positions in the northern city of Aleppo.

It's the first military action since Oct. 18 when Syrian and Russia air strikes were halted to give a pause for the rebels who wanted to leave eastern Aleppo. However, the rebels didn't leave amid official Syrian claims that the rebels prevented the civilians from leaving.

Mogherini met with leaders of the High Negotiating Committee (HNC) and its two main political coalitions and their delegations, discussing the most recent developments in the Syrian crisis, the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a statement.

The EU diplomatic service said Mogherini and the Syrian opposition leaders discussed "the dire humanitarian situation" in eastern Aleppo as well as in other besieged areas.

The two sides agreed it was urgent to end the fighting and engage in political talks focused on a genuine political transition based on relevant United Nation Security Council resolutions, EEAS added.

They agreed on the need for all parties to ensure full access to all those in need and to end all obstruction to the delivery of humanitarian aid, EEAS said. Endit