News & Events

Peace talks described as a last-chance effort to avert even greater bloodshed in Syria resumed Monday, a day before the fifth anniversary of the country’s peaceful uprising that eventually devolved into catastrophic civil war.

The United States accused the Syrian government of trying to “disrupt” peace talks after the latter declared the departure of President Bashar al-Assad was a “red line” that was not open for discussion.

Diplomatic efforts to end the Syrian conflict have been plunged into a fresh crisis with the UN special envoy announcing a temporary suspension of talks in Geneva between the opposition and the government.

The UN Security Council has unanimously agreed on the text of a draft resolution for peace talks in January and a ceasefire aimed at ending the war in Syria.

Russia and the US are expected to take part in Syria peace talks in October, along with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, according to Russia’s deputy foreign minister.

Syria’s government and opposition have agreed on an agenda for a third round of peace talks in Geneva, despite disappointment at the little progress achieved as the second round came to an end.

The first round of peace talks aimed at ending the civil war in Syria has ended without any significant breakthrough as rival sides blamed each other for lack of progress.

Syria’s government has agreed to accept the peace plan put forward by the United Nations and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, his spokesman has said.