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UN to name new date for Syria peace talks UN to name new date for Syria peace talks
(35 minutes later)
The United Nations on Friday will name a new date for Syrian peace talks to recommence, the UN’s Syrian special envoy Staffan De Mistura has said as plans for a ceasefire due to come into force at the weekend began to take shape. The United Nations will on Friday name a new date for Syrian peace talks to recommence, the UN’s Syrian special envoy Staffan De Mistura has said, as plans for a ceasefire due to come into force at the weekend began to take shape.
De Mistura was forced to abandon the first round of talks on 3 February, saying more preparatory work was needed from the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), led by the US and Russia.De Mistura was forced to abandon the first round of talks on 3 February, saying more preparatory work was needed from the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), led by the US and Russia.
Disputes over the composition of the delegations, the lifting of sieges and the agenda for the talks meant the first substantive talks in years failed to get off the ground.Disputes over the composition of the delegations, the lifting of sieges and the agenda for the talks meant the first substantive talks in years failed to get off the ground.
De Mistura said today he would brief the UN security council on Friday about his plan to reconvene the talks, as well as announce a date for new talks. The most likely date at present is 4 March. It is likely that the terms of the new ceasefire due to come into force at midnight on Saturday local time – 10pm Friday GMT – will be endorsed by a fresh UN security council resolution. De Mistura said he would brief the UN security council on Friday about his plan to reconvene the talks, as well as announce a date for new talks. The most likely date is 4 March. It is likely that the terms of the new ceasefire due to come into force at midnight on Saturday local time – 10pm Friday GMT – will be endorsed by a fresh UN security council resolution.
De Mistura said “I will announce tomorrow when the parties (will reconvene) and the new talks (will happen).”De Mistura said “I will announce tomorrow when the parties (will reconvene) and the new talks (will happen).”
The renewed diplomatic momentum follows a US-Russian brokered ceasefire that appears to have the support of most of the nations involved in sponsoring one side or other in the almost five-year civil war. Both Russia and the US are urging factions on the ground to sign up to it.The renewed diplomatic momentum follows a US-Russian brokered ceasefire that appears to have the support of most of the nations involved in sponsoring one side or other in the almost five-year civil war. Both Russia and the US are urging factions on the ground to sign up to it.
The ceasefire however excludes Islamic State and al-Qaida linked Nusra Front, meaning that Russia is still free to deploy its air force to bomb in large parts of Syria. The Syrian opposition operating under the umbrella of High Negotiating Council is wary that Russia will use the exemption for the Nusra Front as a pretext to bomb legitimate opposition forces observing the ceasefire who have fought alongside it.The ceasefire however excludes Islamic State and al-Qaida linked Nusra Front, meaning that Russia is still free to deploy its air force to bomb in large parts of Syria. The Syrian opposition operating under the umbrella of High Negotiating Council is wary that Russia will use the exemption for the Nusra Front as a pretext to bomb legitimate opposition forces observing the ceasefire who have fought alongside it.
The HNC has said it will give the ceasefire a fortnight to test the sincerity of the Syrian government and Russia, Bashar al-Assad’s chief sponsor.The HNC has said it will give the ceasefire a fortnight to test the sincerity of the Syrian government and Russia, Bashar al-Assad’s chief sponsor.
The ISSG task force on ceasefires will convene for the first time in Geneva on Friday to evaluate how many factions have signed up to the cessation of hostilities, and to agree details of how the ceasefire will be monitored, and any breaches handled. Russia bombed rebel-held areas in northwestern Syria on Thursday as government forces sought to take more ground at the Turkish border, ahead of the planned halt to fighting.
The ISSG taskforce on ceasefires will convene for the first time in Geneva on Friday to evaluate how many factions have signed up to the cessation of hostilities, and to agree details of how the ceasefire will be monitored, and any breaches handled.
The United Nations is trying to use the diplomatic momentum to gain agreement for the extension of relief convoys to the major cities of Aleppo and Homs.The United Nations is trying to use the diplomatic momentum to gain agreement for the extension of relief convoys to the major cities of Aleppo and Homs.
In one of many threats to the ceasefire the Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, said on Thursday that Turkey would not be bound by the Syrian ceasefire plan if its security was threatened, and would take “necessary measures” against the Syrian Kurdish YPG and Isis if needed. In one of many threats to the ceasefire, the Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, said Turkey would not be bound by the Syrian ceasefire if its security was threatened, and would take “necessary measures” against the Syrian Kurdish YPG and Isis if needed.
Turkey regards the YPG as a terrorist group and fears it will further inflame unrest among its own Kurdish population.Turkey regards the YPG as a terrorist group and fears it will further inflame unrest among its own Kurdish population.
“The ceasefire is not binding for us when there is a situation that threatens Turkey’s security; we will take necessary measures against both the YPG and Daesh [Isis] when we feel the need to,” Davutoğlu said in comments broadcast live on CNN Turk television.“The ceasefire is not binding for us when there is a situation that threatens Turkey’s security; we will take necessary measures against both the YPG and Daesh [Isis] when we feel the need to,” Davutoğlu said in comments broadcast live on CNN Turk television.
“Ankara is the only place that decides actions regarding Turkey’s security,” he said.“Ankara is the only place that decides actions regarding Turkey’s security,” he said.
A spokesman for the YPG, Redur Xelil, said on his Facebook page that the Kurdish forces would respect the ceasefire but retained the right to “retaliate” if attacked.
“We, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), give great importance to the process of cessation of hostilities announced by the United States and Russia and we will respect it, while retaining the right to retaliate... if we are attacked,” the statement said.