Participation of Syria in Geneva-II generates discussion

John Kerry, United States Secretary of State.

Prior to the Peace Conference, disposed to be held at Switzerland on January 22, discussions continue over Syria’s participation in the conclave. The opposition coalition has unveiled the issue as an exigency.

Countries like the U.S. and Russia continue expressing their disagreement over the inclusion of Iran in the negotiations for a “limited cease-fire” requested by the above-mentioned countries. At the same time, Washington has conditioned the acceptance of the Tehran plan regarding the political transition in Syria.

During a press conference, Serguei Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ladhkar Brahimi, special envoy from the Arab League and the UN for Syria, made public their desire that Syria participates in Geneva-II.

United States, like France, believes that if Iran wants to participate in the conference, clearly has to accept the objective of establishing a provisional government with full powers and involving representatives of the opposition and the Syrian regime.

For its part, Iran, represented by the Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said he is willing to participate in the negotiations in Switzerland but without preconditions.