Syrian opposition says no political solution possible with Iran's involvement

Record ID: 876468

  • Title: Syrian opposition says no political solution possible with Iran's involvement
  • Date: 19th May 2017
  • Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MAY 19, 2017) (REUTERS) CAMERAMEN STANDING AL-HARIRI WALKING DOWN THE STAIRS AND HEADING TO REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF SYRIAN OPPOSITION DELEGATION, NASR AL-HARIRI, SAYING: "We say that it is not possible to fight terrorism today as long as Iran and its militias are in Syria. It is not possible today to reach a political solution. It is not possible for Syria and the region to find safety and stability as long as Iran is in Syria and in different countries." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF SYRIAN OPPOSITION DELEGATION, NASR AL-HARIRI, SAYING: "We say that any real effort in fighting terrorism, limiting Iranian influence and facing militias and mercenaries in Syria, definitely benefits Syrian people, the people of the region and world's peace and safety." OPPOSITION DELEGATION LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 2nd June 2017 18:38
  • Keywords: restart Syria Talks Syria's special envoy Syrian opposition delegation at U.N.
  • Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
  • City: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA0036HI9XL3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Syrian opposition delegation leader Nasr al-Hariri said on Friday (May 19) it was not possible to reach a political solution or to fight terrorism as long as Iran and its militias remained in Syria, and reiterated the opposition's demand to remove President Bashar al-Assad.
    Al-Hariri also commented on the latest air strike the U.S. military carried out on Damascus-backed militia, saying any real effort in limiting Iranian influence and facing militias benefits Syrian people.
    Syria peace talks hosted by the United Nations in Geneva spawned a new series of meetings on Thursday (May 18) with no hint of tangible progress towards a deal to end the six-year-old civil war.
    In a sign of the chasm between foes who have frustrated repeated international efforts at peacemaking, they are not negotiating face-to-face but only in turn with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura.
    The talks have been increasingly marginalised over the past year as Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have won back territory from the rebels, while the United States has largely stepped back from a leading role in Syrian diplomacy.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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