Assad’s fate a stumbling block at talks
Print Edition
TALKS to end Syria’s civil war opened in Geneva yesterday, but hopes of a breakthrough remain remote amid a bitter dispute over the future of President Bashar Assad.
As delegations arrived in Geneva over the weekend, Damascus warned that any discussion about removing Assad would be a “red line.”
UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said agreeing a new Syrian government was the main obstacle to forging a lasting peace.
Assad’s fate and whether elections will be held within 18 months remain huge hurdles.
Analysts have said the negotiations are largely a forum for international powers involved in the conflict, and that the strategic interests of the United States and Russia will be crucial to determining the shape of a possible deal.
De Mistura told reporters that if progress appears impossible on the most contentious issues, he will turn to the “real peacemakers, the peacemaking powers who wanted these talks,” referring to Washington, Moscow and the UN Security Council.
Syrian government lead negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari said on Sunday that they had held positive discussions with de Mistura, but what would be discussed was still up in the air.
A cease-fire introduced on February 27 has largely held, despite accusations of violations from both sides, allowing aid to reach some 150,000 people living under siege.
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