Al-Assad Receives De Mistura: Ready to Study Aleppo’s Plan
Local Editor
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Monday he was ready to study a UN plan to "freeze" fighting in the northern city of Aleppo, a statement from his office said.
"President al-Assad has been informed by [UN envoy Staffan) de Mistura of the main points of his initiative," said the statement issued after the two men held talks in Damascus.
It further added: "Al-Assad said it was worthy of study and that work on it is needed... in order to re-establish security in Aleppo."
It is De Mistura's second visit to Syria since he was appointed as a special international envoy in July.
On October 30, De Mistura put forward an "action plan" for Syria that proposed to "freeze" fighting in local areas to allow for aid deliveries and to lay the groundwork for talks.
According to the Syrian presidency Facebook page, al-Assad emphasized "the importance of Aleppo".
State news agency SANA, meanwhile, quoted De Mistura as saying he was determined to ensure that his mission succeeds.
The envoy had previously said Aleppo would be a "good candidate" to become a "freeze" zone.
Waddah Abd Rabbo, editor of al-Watan newspaper, said Damascus supports any "plan that can save lives, but such a plan should not be accepted by one side and rejected by the other".
Abd Rabbo said: "The ball is in De Mistura's court. He must convince the rebels, and above all the countries that support them."
He singled out Turkey, "which allows weapons and terrorists into Aleppo" across its border with Syria.
De Mistura's predecessors al-Ahadar Brahimi and Kofi Annan tried several times but failed to implement a ceasefire in Syria. Two rounds of talks between the regime and the exiled opposition earlier this year brought no result.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
Comments
- Related News
“Israeli” Raids Raise Damascus Death Toll to 5
13 days ago
