World: UN envoy meets with Syrian rivals

Hopes of progress clouded by constant violence, political deadlock

The UN’s Syria envoy launched consultations Thursday with rival sides in the six- year conflict, but hopes of breakthrough are clouded by persistent violence and deadlock over the country’s political future.

Staffan de Mistura began separate meetings with Syrian regime and opposition delegates in Geneva, notably to discuss the agenda and the format for the negotiations proper – the first UN-hosted peace talks in 10 months.

The opposition High Negotiations Committee ( HNC) said Wednesday that it wants direct negotiations with the regime, but both sides would have to agree.

Neither regime delegation chief Bashar al- Jafaari nor opposition team chief Nasr al- Hariri spoke as they arrived at UN offices in the Swiss city.

De Mistura said he planned to host an opening meeting later in the day with both sides.

China also sent a special envoy to attend the talks.

“Ambassador Xie Xiaoyan, the Chinese Government’s Special Envoy on Syria, will lead a delegation to the peace talks to have further exchanges with relevant parties and contribute to the political settlement of the Syrian issue,” Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Chinese foreign ministry, told a regular press con- ference on Thursday.

On the eve of the talks – the fourth brokered by the UN and the first since April last year – Russia called on Syrian President Bashar al- Assad to stop bombing during the discussions.

But just hours after rival delegations arrived, de Mistura admitted there was limited ground for progress.

“Am I expecting a breakthrough? No, I am not expecting a breakthrough,” the veteran diplomat said, noting that “momentum” toward further talks was likely the best that can be hoped for.

An HNC spokesman said the umbrella group wanted face- to- face discussions with government representatives.

“We ask for direct negotiations... It would save time and be proof of seriousness instead of negotiating in [ separate] rooms,” Salem al- Meslet told AFP on Wednesday.

During three previous rounds of talks in Geneva last year, the rivals never sat down at the same table, instead leaving de Mistura to shuttle between them.

The ground – both in territory and diplomatically – has shifted since the last UN- sponsored talks broke up in April 2016, and the rebels are in a significantly weaker position.