The UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is in Riyadh for talks with diplomats and Syrian opposition representatives on efforts to end the nearly five-year war, an Arab source says.
His visit comes amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia, the main Sunni power in the region, and Shiite-dominated Iran over Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric and dissident.
There are concerns that the row could derail growing efforts to end the conflict, as Riyadh backs rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad and Iran supports the Syrian president’s regime.
De Mistura is also expected in Iran later this week and in Damascus on Saturday, according UN sources.
De Mistura will also meet Syrian opposition representatives in Riyadh to discuss the date for peace negotiations, an agenda for the talks and the names of members of their delegation, the source said.
— AFP
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