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De Misturra: It is Time to Discuss Political Transition with Launch of Syrian Geneva Talks | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Syrian civilian who lost a foot, crossing by a dumpster with graffiti saying (parliamentary voting poll)in a cynic remark to the elections which took place yesterday, A.F.P


Beirut- Geneva, yesterday, witnessed the takeoff of the latest round of Syrian negotiations.

U.N. special envoy Staffan de Mistura started the round of talks post convening with the Riyadh-based Syrian Opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), and stressed that upcoming deliberations would delve into details on implementing political transition regardless of the stances of both negotiating parties.

Mistura’s resolve to discuss political transition translates into a challenge to Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

De Mistura emphasized the importance of sustaining ceasefire, given that it had given Syrians hope that their lives are on the right path of getting better. He also demanded that different parties confirm their commitment to the cessation of hostilities.

No specific date has been set as to when direct negotiations will begin, with efforts currently being spent on talks with both parties, de Mistura said .

With the rounds of negotiations opening, many U.S. media published reports on C.I.A based leaks indicating that Washington is setting up a plan B in Syria comprising the provision of diverse anti-aircraft weaponry to the Syrian Opposition.

A U.S. official told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that it is time to arrange for plan B to be carried out and to deliver effective artillery to moderate Syrian Opposition, which would help them in confronting regime aircraft raids and attacks launched by heavy arms.

On the battlefield, all sides of the Syrian conflict have gained foothold since the Russian intervention. Accordingly, ISIS’s control has been reduced over a 10 percent in field dominance, which ranks it the biggest loser in the current Syrian update on battle state-of-affairs.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdulrahman told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Russian airstrikes had helped Assad’s regime regain vast geographic spaces located in the heart of Aleppo’s eastern rural region, on the account of ISIS losing formation and battles there.