UN: Peace in Syria only after we combat terror and protect state institutions

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said that his proposal for resolving the Syria crisis is based on two main pillars – combating terror and protecting Syrian state institutions – stressing that the Geneva Convention is the only way out of the crisis.

In a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby following talks between the two diplomats, De Mistura lamented that the conflict in Syria has been militarised.

He said that his current plan for resolving the Syria crisis proposes forming two working teams that complement one another: The first focuses on combating terrorism and seeks a future for the Syrian people.

De Mistura pointed out that there is a dilemma in this regard because terrorism cannot be defeated unless a political solution has been reached.

He added that the second working team will focus on protecting Syria’s state institutions so as the country doesn’t follow the Libya, Somali and Iraqi scenarios, and will also focus on discussing security and military issues with Syrians themselves.

Elaraby said that De Mistura spoke clearly with Arab ministers the day before at the 144th Arab League Council meeting about the goal that the United Nations and the Arab League seek to reach. He stressed that the objective behind implementing the Geneva 1 Communiqué is to end the fighting in Syria and work on the restoration of peace and stability.

The diplomat pointed out that the plan includes a transitional phase during which a temporary government body with executive powers will be formed based on a consensus between the regime and the opposition. “This is what the UN envoy seeks to achieve, and what the Arab League supports,” he added.

De Mistura arrived in Cairo on Sunday to take part in the Arab League Council meeting for foreign ministers, which was held in the Arab League’s headquarters in Cairo.