Geneva, Switzerland : The UN's Syria envoy said on Monday he has planned peace talks for February in Geneva, as the UN Security Council voted to deploy observers to war-ravaged Aleppo.
Staffan de Mistura "wishes to announce that it is the intention of the United Nations to convene those negotiations in Geneva on 8 February 2017," said a statement from his spokesman.
"The Special Envoy believes that it is vital to build on this initial momentum with further steps," the spokesman said, referring to the council unanimously adopting a resolution to monitor evacuations from Aleppo.
The measure tasks the United Nations with carrying out "adequate, neutral monitoring and direct observation on evacuations from eastern Aleppo and other districts of the city."
The spokesman said de Mistura "will follow with interest" the meeting planned for Tuesday in Moscow between Russia, Turkey and Iran.
"He welcomes any effort that can bring about a cessation of hostilities," in the conflict that has killed more than 310,000 people in nearly six years, he added.
Diplomatic efforts -- including several rounds of peace talks in Geneva -- have failed to make progress in resolving the conflict, which reached a turning point last year when Russia launched an air war in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
Since the failure of the last round of discussions in April, de Mistura has announced several resumptions of the talks.
Staffan de Mistura "wishes to announce that it is the intention of the United Nations to convene those negotiations in Geneva on 8 February 2017," said a statement from his spokesman.
"The Special Envoy believes that it is vital to build on this initial momentum with further steps," the spokesman said, referring to the council unanimously adopting a resolution to monitor evacuations from Aleppo.
The spokesman said de Mistura "will follow with interest" the meeting planned for Tuesday in Moscow between Russia, Turkey and Iran.
Advertisement
Diplomatic efforts -- including several rounds of peace talks in Geneva -- have failed to make progress in resolving the conflict, which reached a turning point last year when Russia launched an air war in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Father, Daughter Die At National Park In US After Running Out Of Water In Extreme Heat UN Agency For Palestinians Says It Has Funds For Only 2 More Months World Population To Peak At 10.3 Billion In 2080s: UN Report Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP Secret Service Head To Testify To US House Panel On Trump Shooting Florida Man Arrested For Making Threats Against Biden 4 Killed, 3 Missing In Landslide In Karnataka Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.