De Mistura into Damascus: Peace Ideas to Be Discussed

Local Editor

The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is to visit Damascus on Thursday to discuss peace "ideas" with the Syrian government, a senior government official said.

"He will meet Foreign Minister Walid Muallem because Syria expects answers to questions" about his plan, the official stated.

De Mistura's assistant, Ramzi Ezzedine Ramzi, handed the government a 60-page document in mid-August summarizing "ideas" that the envoy had collected from the regime, opposition and civil society.

A diplomat in Damascus said the Syrian authorities had then asked a series of questions and were now awaiting answers.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Syrian government was insisting the "fight against terrorism" be a priority for the political process.

On July 29, the envoy proposed a fresh approach to keeping the stalled peace efforts alive by inviting Syrians to take part in "thematic" working groups.

The four committees are to be made up of people chosen by the regime and the opposition.

They are tasked with addressing four main areas: security, political issues including elections, the military aspect including the fight against terrorism and a possible ceasefire, and the country's reconstruction.

It will be de Mistura's sixth visit to Damascus.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team