Syrian Gov’t, Opposition to Meet in the Same Room

Local Editor

Syria's government and opposition delegations have agreed to hold direct talks on Saturday, international envoy to Syria al-Akhdar Ibrahimi said, adding that the two sides recognize the principles of the Geneva 1 communique.

"Tomorrow we have agreed that we shall meet in same room," Ibrahimi told a news conference after he held separate meetings with government and opposition delegations in Geneva. "Both parties will be here tomorrow...they will not leave on Saturday or Sunday," he said, adding that the discussions were "encouraging".

The envoy acknowledged, however, that core matters are yet to be discussed and that the resolution of the conflict will not be without its challenges. "I hope that they will go smoothly...we do expect some bumps on the road," he said. "It's impossible that there aren't any in a situation like this."

Ibrahimi said he would steer Saturday's meeting towards the humanitarian situation in Syria and accessing blocked areas.
The talks will be based on the Geneva Communique, he also said, that is on the June 2012 statement by world powers which called for the two sides to agree on the establishment of a transitional body. Ibrahimi stated that it is clear to both sides that the "meat" of the conference would be how do implement the dispositions of the pact.

"I think the two sides understand that very well and accept it," Ibrahimi said, while noting that "there are different interpretations on some of those items".
Still, the first session is expected to be mainly focused on "practical issues which will make discussions a little easier."

Although the overwhelming aim is the cessation of all violence, Ibrahimi underlined that there are those who do not share the same target.
"We are aware that there are parties inside Syria that do not support such a track," he said. "Nobody wants for terrorism to continue except terrorists themselves. Therefore if we manage to save Syria - saving Syria will be also saving it from terrorism."

Ibrahimi went on to express certain doubt over the tense talks. "I'm worried all the time," he said. "But I hope that it will be a good beginning."
Part of the confidence building measures will include a discussion over the next two days to provide humanitarian aid to the city of Homs, a hotspot of the armed Syrian crisis where rebels continue to battle government forces in the central districts.
"The practical aspects have been worked on, things are ready and if the government doesn't put a block on it then it could happen quickly," one source told Reuters.

UN spokeswoman Alessandra Velluci told a briefing in Geneva earlier in the day: "This process is being shaped at the moment. It has to take time for the preparations. There are no Syrian-Syrian talks at the moment."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team