Iraq News

UN envoy still aims to resume Syria talks in July

The UN envoy for Syria said Wednesday (June 29th) he was still aiming to resume peace talks in July but was first seeking guarantees that there will be progress on plans for a political transition, AFP reported.

"We are aiming within July but not at any cost and not without guarantees," Staffan de Mistura said following a meeting of the Security Council.

The UN-backed talks aim to reach a political settlement to Syria's war, which has left more than 280,000 people dead and driven millions from their homes.

De Mistura said he was working to ensure that "when we call the talks there is possibility of moving forward on political transition by August", a deadline set by the international group backing the Syrian peace process.

A UN roadmap calls for a transitional body to be set up in Damascus by August 1st, followed by the drafting of a new constitution leading to elections 18 months later.

Most diplomats agree that the August 1st target date to agree on a political transition will be missed, but de Mistura refused to downplay chances for progress, noting that "there is a lot of discreet diplomacy that is taking place".

De Mistura said the Syrian government and the opposition must return to the table "with a feeling of urgency and work on some ideas on how to bridge their differences between what everyone means by political transition".

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