SYRIA: International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi says after talks with President Bashar al-Assad that the escalating Syrian conflict poses a global danger

Record ID: 281363

  • Title: SYRIA: International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi says after talks with President Bashar al-Assad that the escalating Syrian conflict poses a global danger
  • Date: 15th September 2012
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (SEPTEMBER 15,2012) (REUTERS) UN ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY LAKHDAR BRAHIMI WALKING IN TO NEW CONFERENCE BRAHIMI LISTENING BRAHIMI STARTING NEWS CONFERENCE REPORTERS AND CAMERA CREWS (SOUNDBITE) (English) UN ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY LAKHDAR BRAHIMI , SAYING: "I said that it was a difficult mission. It is still very difficult. It will remain difficult. But I think that thi
  • Embargoed: 30th September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVA3CKNUQGVGCGK9CUPRYQUUAHX2
  • Story Text: UN Arab League Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has said on Saturday (September 15) that despite the difficulties of the Syria mission, he has hope for the country's people.
    Brahimi spoke in Damascus after meeting with President Bashar Al-Assad for an hour at the Presidential Palace.
    "I said that it was a difficult mission. It is still very difficult. It will remain difficult. But I think that this kind of mission needs to be undertaken. I am not undertaking it because I am looking for a quick success of myself. I have undertaken it because I am very hopeful that I will be able to help - however little - the people of Syria," Brahimi said at a news conference.
    "I think that Mr. President knows more than I do the danger of this crisis and its dimensions. I told Mr. President that we will do our best as the U.N and the Arab League to go forward and exhaust all our possibilities and efforts to help Syria's people to get out of this ordeal," he added.
    Activists say more than 27,000 people have been killed in the 18-month-old conflict between Assad's forces and the mainly Sunni Muslim rebels determined to overthrow him.
    Saturday's meeting in Damascus was Brahimi's first with Assad since he replaced Kofi Annan as peace envoy two weeks ago, taking on a mission which the veteran Algerian diplomat described as "nearly impossible".
    Brahimi said there is still no clear direction the mission should take because of the fluid nature of the situation.
    "The situation changes everyday and there is no doubt that we need to adapt our activities to the situation as it evolves," he said.
    Russia, Iran and China are supporting Assad's government and Moscow and Beijing have three times blocked Western-backed attempts in the U.N. Security Council to criticise and threaten sanctions against Damascus.
    Brahimi said he will continue to hold hope for the country, so long as a common ground binding the Syrian people.
    "I think it is not a secret that the gap between the parties is very wide and that is how these things are done. You try and help the parties find the common ground. The common ground does exist. These are Syrians. They love their country. They want peace in their country and perhaps we can help them achieve that," he said.
    Brahimi said Assad and his officials had pledged to support his work, adding that he would return to the region soon after talks in New York with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
    Brahimi, who arrived on Thursday (September 13), is expected to meet with Louay Hussein, President of the Building the state opposition party, and a number of Arab Ambassadors to Syria.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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