De Mistura explains work teams; al-Moallem stresses the priority of fighting terrorism

 UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura provided on Thursday answers to inquiries from the Syrian side about his proposal on the work teams within the framework of finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

He gave his answers to Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem during a meeting in Damascus, that was attended by the delegation accompanying de Mistura, SANA reported.

The envoy clarified that the objective of the meetings held by the work teams is brainstorming and that they are non-binding, adding that whatever the Syrians come to agree on may come in handy in the process of preparing for Geneva 3.

Al-Moallem, for his part, reiterated that fighting terrorism in Syria is the priority as it constitutes the entry for the political solution to the crisis in the country and meets the Syrian people’s aspirations for establishing security and stability.

He said that Syria will study the ideas put forth by de Mistura so as to take the appropriate stance towards the latter’s initiative.

Al-Moallem stressed that it is important to continue consultation between the UN envoy and the Syrian government in this regard, underscoring at the same time the need for concerted regional and international efforts for combating terrorism and compelling the countries that are supporting the terrorist organizations to stop doing that.