No confirmation on invitees for Syria conference: UN spokesman

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No confirmation on invitees for Syria conference: UN spokesman

(Xinhua) 08:58, November 27, 2013

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 26 -- The United Nations said here Tuesday that there has been confirmation on any invitees for the international conference on Syria, scheduled to begin in Geneva in January, adding "what is important for the success of the conference is that the Syrian sides be represented by credible delegations."

In response to a question at a daily news briefing here, Martin Nesirky, the UN spokesman, said he could not confirm any invitees yet for the Jan. 22 conference, known as the Geneva II conference on Syria. He noted the important role of neighboring countries in diplomatic efforts for Syria, but added that "there is no list of invited countries or organizations to announce at this point."

Nesirky said there would be a meeting on Dec. 20 to prepare for the Geneva II conference. However, he declined to comment on the positions of individual groups such as the Free Syrian Army on the conference.

"What is important for the success of the conference is that the Syrian sides be represented by credible delegations," Nesirky said.

"The secretary-general has made clear his own expectation for all sides to start working now to take steps to help the Geneva conference succeed, including toward the cessation of violence, humanitarian access, release of detainees and return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced to their homes," he said.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Monday that he would convene in Geneva on Jan. 22 the long-sought international conference on Syria, bringing together the government and the opposition to a negotiating table for the first time since the conflict started in March 2011.

"This is a mission of hope," Ban told journalists at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The secretary-general called the upcoming conference a "vehicle for a peaceful transition" that fulfills the legitimate aspirations of all the Syrian people for freedom and dignity, and which guarantees safety and protection to all communities in Syria.

After months of delay, Syria's government and opposition are expected to hold their first negotiations aimed at ending the country's political crisis and armed conflict in Geneva on Jan. 22. However, the precise agenda for the negotiations, as well as a complete list of participants, remained unresolved.

The goal of Geneva II would be to achieve a political solution to the conflict through a comprehensive agreement between the government and the opposition for the full implementation of the Geneva communique, adopted after the first international meeting on the issue on Jan. 30, 2012.

The communique, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council, lays out key steps to end the violence. Among these, the establishment -- based on mutual consent -- of a transitional governing body with full executive powers, including over military and security entities.

（Editor：LiangJun、Yao Chun）