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UN envoy to Syria arrives in Damascus for talks

Middle East

15-06-2015 | 05:34

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UN envoy to Syria arrives in Damascus for talks

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U.N. Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, arrived on Monday (June 15) in Damascus to meet with Syrian officials for a two-day visit as he continues his efforts to find common ground among the parties with an interest in ending Syria's civil war.

In a statement published on Sunday (June 14), de Mistura's spokesperson said the envoy decided to respond to a invitation by Syrian government to visit the country.

The aim of the visit, the statement added, is to know Syrian officials' views concerning the Geneva Consultations.

He is expected to raise with the Syrian government the issue of protecting civilians in all circumstances.

Following to his arrival, de Mistura, headed to met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem.

It is not known whether de Mistura will meet President Bashar al-Assad during his visit.

De Mistura began the talks last month, saying he expected to meet 40 or more delegations for one-on-one discussions in Geneva, including Syrian officials, opposition and civil society representatives and representatives of governments in the region and with influence in the conflict.

Diplomats said that by summoning people to Geneva, de Mistura would be in control of the process and the talks would be on neutral ground.

However, the main Syrian political opposition group refused to come to meet him, inviting him instead to meet them in Istanbul.

The four-year war has killed more than 220,000 people, injured more than one million, driven almost four million out of the country as refugees and left 12.2 million others in need of humanitarian aid, including 5.6 million children.

REUTERS

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