Russia pressures Syrian regime to tackle constitution in Geneva

Moscow “advised” Damascus that it needs to discuss both the constitution and election files and the political principles for a solution in Syria during the upcoming round of talks in Geneva next Tuesday, after a successful Syrian opposition meeting in Riyadh this week.

Damascus bets on Tehran and Beijing to switch the current focus on the reconstruction and the fighting against terrorism in order to postpone any settlement in Syria.

On Saturday, Saudi Arabia welcomed the results of the second expanded meeting of Syrian Opposition figures that was held in Riyadh. An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Syrian Opposition groups succeeding in unifying their stance, including all components and platforms as well as establishing a negotiations committee that is representative of all, will strengthen their position in the negotiations and contribute to the achievement of the aspirations of all Syrian people, Saudi’s news agency SPA reported.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also congratulated Riyadh on its achievement in holding the meeting.

The eighth round of the Geneva talks in Geneva next Nov. 28 will focus on four baskets, including discussing elections and the constitution, deputy of the UN special Envoy to Syria Ramzi Ezzedine Ramzi told reporters on Saturday.

“I hope the next round of Geneva talks be marked with an active participation from the government with the presence of a unified delegation from the opposition, which could be conducive in pushing the political process forward,” Ramzi said.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that his country hopes that US President Donald Trump respects his commitments by no longer supplying weapons to Kurdish YPG fighters combating ISIS in Syria.

Cavusoglu said Trump made the comment Friday after speaking by phone with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Meanwhile, Moscow is preparing the floor for holding the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, where the leaders of Iran, Turkey and Russia would meet to discuss a comprehensive dialogue for Syria.

Moscow is working calmly to hold the Sochi process with a regional coverage.

source: Asharq Al-Awsat