Syria Crisis: New round of peace talks begins in Geneva

World Today

Syria’s opposition accuses government forces of repeatedly and intentionally violating the ceasefire agreement, as talks begin in Geneva to broker a political transition. Violence has escalated in recent days, putting strain on the diplomatic process.

CCTV’s Guy Henderson reports from Geneva.

Syria’s opposition may have turned up, but they are in a non-comprising mood.

“It has become clear that Bashar al- Assad has become a disease that has struck Syria. Syria can only heal by the departure of Assad and the emblematic figures of the regime,”Assad al Zoubi, Syrian High Negotiations Committee said.

But there is still little sign that is up for negotiation.

The government went ahead with parliamentary elections on Wednesday. Western diplomats see them as a farce aimed at reinforcing the status quo.

Bashar al-Assad’s Russian allies maintain the vote is not designed to undermine the U.N. timetable for elections next year.

“There is an understanding already that a new constitution should emerge as a result of this political process, on the basis of which new, early elections are to be held. But before this happens, one should avoid any legal vacuum and any vacuum in legislative power in Syria. These elections held today are designed to play this role of not allowing a legal vacuum,” Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minster said.

Fighting has escalated in recent days. Though not enough to derail the Geneva talks.


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