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Syrian opposition urges Russia to help prod peace talks UN envoy: Syria peace talks to resume April 9
(35 minutes later)
GENEVA — The main Syrian opposition group has wrapped up the latest round of indirect peace talks by urging Russia to “use its leverage” on President Bashar Assad’s government to fulfil international hopes for a political transition. GENEVA — The U.N.’s Syria envoy has set April 9 as a ‘target date’ for indirect peace talks to resume in Geneva.
Bassma Kodmani, a leader of the opposition High Negotiations Committee, told reporters Thursday in Geneva that it wants greater access for humanitarian aid and decried continued sieges by government forces on Syrian municipalities. Staffan de Mistura, wrapping up the current round of indirect peace talks Thursday, says he is encouraged by the fact that there has been “no walkouts, no drama” in the talks that lasted 10 days.
She said she hopes the next round of talks in April will be more “substantive.” The Syrian government plans to hold scheduled parliamentary elections in government-held parts of Syria on April 13 and has said it wanted the talks to resume after that date.
Another HNC member told The Associated Press that de Mistura has given the two delegations a document representing his “vision” for a solution to the five-year war, such as reforming state institutions, rejecting terrorism, rebuilding the Syrian army and paving the way for the return of refugees. The opposition, which believes the elections are a farce, has rejected that.
De Mistura appeared to be making a compromise by saying the talks will start “at least” on April 9 “but if people want to come on the 13th or 14th they are warmly welcome.”
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.