A+ A-

UN prepares for new Int'l conf. for Syria -- De Mistura

BERLIN, July 22 (KUNA) -- The international troubleshooter for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, declared on Friday that the United Nations is preparing for a new international convention on Syria.
Coming months will be "decisive with respect of organizing the new conference in Geneva," said de Mistura, as he emerged from talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. De Mistura indicated that his declaration was based on his recent talks with the US and Russian foreign ministers.
For his part, minister Steinmeier expressed his belief that previous Geneva rounds of talks on Syria did not end in total failure, for these meetings resulted in dispatch of much needed relief and medical supplies to civilians "in isolated areas," adding that holding further talks is necessary for maintaining the truce, acknowledging that it has been largely shaky.
On dire conditions in Aleppo regarding the civilians, he indicated that the war-fares in and outside the large city have jeopardized livelihood for some 300,000 civilians.
De Mistura arrived in Berlin earlier today as part of his mission to create the ground for a viable settlement to the protracted crisis in Syria. (end) anj.rk