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There is no "plan B" to end war in Syria except peace talks in Geneva - de Mistura

The UN special envoy to Syria said that the way to include Syrian Kurds into inter-Syrian negotiations in Geneva will be found
Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy to Syria EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI
Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy to Syria
© EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

GENEVA, March 13 /TASS/. There is no "plan B" to end the civil war in Syria except peace talks in Geneva, Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy to Syria said Sunday in an interview with Al Jazeera TV channel.

"I don't think there is a real plan B except for pushing hard for this to go on into a successful outcome of a political solution according to the Geneva Communique," he said, referring to the document of June 30, 2012, which lies at the heart of discussions on the launch of the peace process in Syria.

"The plan B, as far as we can see, is just a continuation of a horrible conflict which will go on and on and on. And you know who will be the only victims? The Syrian people," he added.

About Kurds into inter-Syrian negotiations

Staffan de Mistura also said that the way to include Syrian Kurds into inter-Syrian negotiations in Geneva will start on March 14 will be found.

"The Syrian Kurds are Syrian. And therefore, they need to be part of the discussions of the future of Syria like the Christians are, like the Sunnis…the Alawites, and the Shi'a - everyone should be there," he said.

"We will find a way to include them (the Kurds in the negotiation process - TASS), because there is a crucial message," he added.

However, de Mistura would preferred not to mention any deadlines. "Leave it to the right moment and the right approach. That is what diplomacy is all about," he said.

The second round the inter-Syrian negotiations in Geneva will start on March 14. The representatives of the High Negotiations Committee have already started to gather in Geneva.

The delegation of official Damascus is expected to arrive in Switzerland on Sunday.