Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura with Lavrentiev at the Astana talks on May 3, 2017/AFP

‘Astana’ Approves Syria’s ‘De-escalation Zones’ Despite Opposition Reservations

by Caroline Akoum, Paula Astih and Tah Abd Al-Wahed | May 5, 2017 | Middle East

Moscow, Beirut- States acting as guarantors in bolstering the ceasefire in Syria have signed a memorandum on four de-escalation zones proposed by Russia during the fourth round of talks held in the Kazakh capital Astana on Thursday. The three guarantor countries,...

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The Syrian opposition delegation attended talks in Astana in January [File: Mukhtar Kholdorbekov/Reuters]

UN Envoy Hails Syria Safe Zones Plan, Opposition Vexed

by Asharq Al-Awsat English | May 4, 2017 | Middle East

Russia, Turkey, and Iran signed on Thursday a memorandum on creating safe zones in Syria, leaving the delegation of the armed Syrian opposition infuriated after a new round of peace talks held in the Kazakh capital Astana. The three countries act as guarantors of the...

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Chief opposition negotiator Mohammad Alloush (L) of the so-called Jaish al-Islam and a member of the rebel delegation Osama Abu Zeid (R) leave following the second session of Syria peace talks at the Rixos President Hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan, February 16, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Astana Talks on Halt after Moscow Failing to Deliver on Safe Zones Promises

by Caroline Akoum and Taha Abdulwahid | May 4, 2017 | Middle East

Moscow, Beirut – Tense caution dominated early hours of the Astana 4 negotiations on Wednesday. Expectations encompassed both positive and negative outcomes from the attempt at brokering peace in Syria. The Russian delegation was chiefly the optimistic party...

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Participants of Syria peace talks attend a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Mukhtar Kholdorbekov

Syrian Opposition Suspends Participation in Astana Peace Talks

by Asharq Al-Awsat English | May 3, 2017 | Middle East

The Syrian opposition said on Wednesday it had suspended its participation in peace talks being held in Kazakhstan and demanded an end to government bombing of areas under its control. A senior official from Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, however, told reporters...

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An image grab shows people gathering amidst the debris at the site of a car bomb attack in the rebel-held town of Azaz in northern Syria in January 2017. (AFP Photo)

Syria Rebels Suspend Participation in Talks on ‘De-escalation Zones’

by Asharq Al-Awsat English | May 3, 2017 | Middle East

Syrian rebels on Wednesday suspended their participation in talks in Kazakhstan on a Russian plan for “de-escalation zones,” demanding an end to regime bombardment of the areas under their control, an opposition official said. “The delegation has suspended its...