De Mistura: Preconditions for Intra-Syrian Dialogue Unacceptable

GENEVA, (ST)-UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura has urged the international community to spare no effort as to make the intra-Syrian dialogue in Geneva a success and stressed that preconditions for the dialogue are unacceptable.

In a press conference on Monday, de Mistura said “the Syrian people are the side that must decide their own destiny and we should help them do this.”

The UN envoy clarified that some parties have attempted to foil the intra-Syrian dialogue, but “we will do our best as to help hold this dialogue.”

“There won’t be preconditions…We seek creating opportunities for bringing the parties closer as to get positive results, de Mistura went on to say, clarifying that “the alternative, which some call Plan /B/, means the return to war.”   

He asserted that the Syrian dialogue should tackle all issues including the enhancement of the “cessation of hostilities” agreement.

According to de Mistura, today’s agenda is based on resolution No. 2254 and on the guidelines of Geneva document. He said he would meet the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic in less than an hour, adding that “there must be some standards that allow all parties to take part in the dialogue.” 

He noted that “after this round of talks comes to an end there will be another one after a ten-day break according to a road map in this regard.”

Hamda Mustafa