Kerry to Try Again with Russia on Syria Talks
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday said he would try to get Syrian peace talks going again with Russia's help as government forces closed in on rebels in the besieged city of Aleppo.
Moscow launched an air campaign last year to help long-time ally Syrian President Bashar Assad who now appears on the verge of capturing all of Aleppo in what would be a huge blow to the rebel cause.
"We have been trying to find a way to get to the negotiating table ... but Assad has never shown any willingness," Kerry said at a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.
"Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table ... and I am in favor of putting that to the test," he said.
Kerry, who has had repeated meetings on Syria with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, said he would have another discussion with him when the two meet later this week.
Even if Aleppo falls, "the war will continue," Kerry said, stressing that there had to be a negotiated settlement.
Talks between the Syrian government and western-backed rebels have made no progress, with both sides accusing each other of bad faith.
Kerry had earlier rejected charges by Lavrov that Washington was stalling talks on a rebel withdrawal from Aleppo in order to buy them time.
Moscow had the impression "a serious discussion with our American partners isn't working out," Lavrov said.
Lavrov on Monday had said Russia and the U.S. would meet in Switzerland on either Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss a proposal put forward by Kerry last week on a complete rebel withdrawal from eastern Aleppo.
The rebels dismissed any withdrawal, prompting Lavrov to warn that "they will be destroyed" if they stay.
Russia and China on Monday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a seven-day ceasefire in Aleppo.
06 December 2016, 12:21
21
it's a warmonger state, a terrorists sponsor and cannot be trusted nor is serious!
06 December 2016, 16:51
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Why else do you want to intervene in Eastern Aleppo if not to save your beloved Nusra takfiri rebels?
06 December 2016, 17:34
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Yes you want to give the Saudi-backed Al Qaeda airdrops filled with weapons and explosives to resupply, because they are running out of munitions at the moment.
Sad for you isn't it?
First Aleppo, next might be Idlib.
Assad is still sitting on his seat in Damascus happily ever after..
America is pulling out of the Middle East.
06 December 2016, 17:53
00
It's fine to admit defeat texas, even Hariri did so when he elected Aoun and Geagea aswell.
We have had these conversations for a long time now, your dreams did not come true, the Saudi plots did not succeed along with the United States aswell.
Syria will rebuild and be just find without the Western formed Caliphate revolution.
06 December 2016, 18:14
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Whining? This is clearly me being all happy these days, just like the other guys.
Iran knows Saudi Arabia are in a desperate situation.
The Ansarullah are moving into Southern Saudi regions, and the Saudis cannot reinstall Hadi in the Government of Sanaa.
So you are loosing indeed, and Iran just extends their hands to the Saudis, they can still cooperate if the Saudis drop their adventures of wahabi misery.
06 December 2016, 18:33
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Even Trump your future President, said that Iran has become a power.
So what do you think?
In Iraq the Popular Mobilization Groups have just been legalized by the Abadi Government, they are too fighting in Mosul now under the nose of the United States.
Yemen, well we both know that the Ansarullah are deep into Southern Saudi region making hit and run missions all the way.
Syria, Russia would not have been able to take over 70% of Aleppo without an effective ground force that can move in after the heavy airstrikes they provide, so yes without Iran, the Airforce of Russia makes no difference, it is the joint operation that counts.
Lebanon? Hezbollah never controlled Lebanon, it is the Lebanese Armed Forces that controls Lebanon and the consitution too.
