May 18, 2016, 8:51 AM

ISSG:

Political solution for Syria must be based on preserving unified Syria

VIENNA, May 18 (MNA) – The International Syria Support Group asserted that the political solution for the crisis in Syria must be based on preserving the unified Syria which must choose its future within the framework of a "transitional government" that is agreed upon via the Geneva process.

This came in a closing statement following the ISSG meeting held in Vienna on Tuesday, delivered by US State Secretary John Kerry at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

The statement called on the "armed opposition" groups to distance themselves geographically and ideologically from ISIL and Jabhat al-Nusra, stressing the need to increase efforts to emphasize the threat posed by ISIL and al-Nusra.

The ISSG voiced commitment to transforming the cessation of hostilities into a comprehensive truce and using international influence to push all sides to commit to this truce on constant basis, in addition to agreeing to increase pressure on those who don't fulfill their obligations regarding the cessation of hostilities.

Kerry stated that the ISSG has grown since its last meeting to include Japan, Australia, Spain and Canada, which he said shows these countries interest in fighting ISIL and ending the crisis in Syria.

Kerry said that efforts will be made to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, with more airlifting of aid, adding that Russia and the US are working together to ensure the implementation of the cessation of hostilities, with communication channels between the two sides working 24 hours to translate words into actions.

He also said that the August 1st date that was referred to as the date for agreeing on a framework for the political process in Syria is a goal, not a deadline.

Meanwhile, de Mistura said that setting a date for the new round of talks in Geneva depends on several factors, including the upcoming month of Ramadan, progress in implementing ISSG decisions, and humanitarian aid efforts.

The UN Envoy stressed that the wait for the talks to be held mustn't take a long time and the momentum for the political process must be preserved, adding that the goal is to have intra-Syrian dialogue produce tangible results, with momentum, the truce, and humanitarian aid being important in ensuring the talks' success.

SANA/MNA

News ID 116661