UN sets Syria peace talks target date

AFP, DAMASCUS: The United Nations hopes to convene peace talks between Syria’s government and opposition on January 25, it said Saturday, a day after the killing of a powerful rebel leader who supported negotiations.
The death of opposition chief Zahran Alloush also appeared to derail a plan to evacuate thousands of jihadists and civilians from southern Damascus.
Alloush, 44, was the commander of Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam), the predominant opposition faction in the Eastern Ghouta rebel bastion east of Damascus.
The group has remained firmly opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and to the Islamic State jihadist group. A senior member of Jaish al-Islam said planes had targeted a “secret meeting” of commanders, confirming Alloush was among those killed.
Syria’s regime claimed responsibility for his death, which was seen as dealing a heavy blow to the nearly five-year uprising and also complicating the fragile peace process.
UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura’s office said he has “intensified efforts” to convene talks on January 25, hopefully including the “broadest possible spectrum” of opposition representatives.

 

UN sets Syria peace talks target date

AFP, DAMASCUS: The United Nations hopes to convene peace talks between Syrias government and opposition on January 25, it said Saturday, a day after the killing of a powerful rebel leader who supported negotiations. The death of opposition chief Zahran Alloush also appeared to derail a plan to evacuate thousands of jihadists and civilians from southern Damascus. Alloush, 44, was the commander of Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam), the predominant opposition faction in the Eastern Ghouta rebel bastion east of Damascus. The group has remained firmly opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and to the Islamic State jihadist group. A senior member of Jaish al-Islam said planes had targeted a secret meeting of commanders, confirming Alloush was among those killed. Syrias regime claimed responsibility for his death, which was seen as dealing a heavy blow to the nearly five-year uprising and also complicating the fragile peace process. UN special envoy Staffan de Misturas office said he has intensified efforts to convene talks on January 25, hopefully including the broadest possible spectrum of opposition representatives.