UN Syria envoy plans 2 rounds of talks

22 November 2017, 1:44 pm

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The United Nations’ Syria envoy says he plans to host two rounds of peace talks in Geneva next month between President Bashar Assad’s government and the weakened opposition.

The talks come as Syria-friendly Russia takes an increasing diplomatic role in efforts to end the 6-1/2-year war.

Staffan de Mistura made the comments Wednesday while addressing a meeting of the main Syrian opposition groups in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. He also urged them to come together in a “strong and creative” opposition for the talks.

Alluding to the U.N.-mediated negotiations, de Mistura says: “We want to show and we want to show through you that this is the way the future of Syria can be decided.”

— AP