Syria's Supreme Commission for Negotiations Convenes

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, January 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The Supreme Commission for Negotiations will hold on Tuesday, January 19^th its third meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The aim is to review the outcome of the visits made by the Commission's Coordinator, Dr. Riad Hijab, and his accompanying delegation to Arab and European capitals.

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The Commission will also review key elements of a 'non-paper' agenda document submitted to UN Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura. This document is based on the Geneva Communiqué (2012), UNSC Resolutions (2118 and 2254) and other relevant agreements which aim to achieve a political transition in Syria culminating in a pluralist system, inclusive and representative of all Syrians, free of discrimination or exclusion, through the establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive authority, and the departure of Bashar al-Assad and his clique at the onset of this transitional period and beyond.

The discussion document re-emphasises the need to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of Syria, the maintenance of state institutions, the restructuring and reform of security and military institutions, the fight against terrorism in all its forms, and the establishment of a clear operational framework for accountability and transitional justice.

Prior to the meeting, Dr. Hijab confirmed that the Committee's agenda stresses the need for a suitable environment for negotiations, and in particular, calls for the lifting of the siege imposed on cities and regions to enable humanitarian agencies access to deliver aid, the release of all detainees, ceasing of aerial shelling and artillery attacks against civilians and civilian targets, and demand all parties immediately abide by and honour their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, ceasing forced displacement, and a moratorium on capital punishment. Dr. Hijab added that the confidence-building measures during the second phase are to include: cessation of all military operations, ensuring the safe return of refugees and displaced persons to their areas, and the formation of a UN mechanism to supervise the ceasefire and to guarantee the commitment of all parties to it.

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SOURCE Office of Dr Riad Hijab, Former Prime Minister of Syria