Humanitarian operation in Aleppo to create basis for inter-Syrian talks — official
An official says the next round of the Geneva talks requires a more serious approach
MOSCOW, July 29 /TASS/. The humanitarian operation launched by Russia and the Syrian government will create conditions for the next round of the inter-Syrian peace talks, which UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistrua is planning to convene late in August, Qadri Jamil, the head of the ‘Moscow-Cairo’ Syrian opposition group at the Geneva talks and a leader of the Syrian Popular Front for Change and Liberation, told TASS on Friday.
"The humanitarian operation, which has been announced, will open the door to the negotiating process in Geneva and will create a solid basis for success. We are optimistic. We have one goal - the success of the Geneva talks," Jamil said.
He noted that the preparation of the next round of the Geneva talks required a more serious approach because any lack of progress could be interpreted as a failure of the peace process on the whole. "The trilateral negotiations [the Russia-US-UN consultations held on July 26] in Geneva are giving us a big chance and inspiring a great hope that it is possible and necessary to resume the inter-Syrian negotiations in Geneva in August," the Syrian opposition figure said.
"This process should be final and successful. If the third round is not crowned with success, it will mean a disaster for the entire Geneva process and the non-implementation of the UN Security Council resolution. There is no other choice than making a breakthrough at the Geneva talks. The future of the Syrian people and the future of Syria as of a geopolitical entity will depend on that," Jamil explained.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Russia and the Syrian government were starting a joint relief operation. He said that four humanitarian corridors would open in Aleppo, including one for the militants with arms. The minister also ordered the delivery of food, medical supplies and essentials to the people of Aleppo by air.