Syrian peace conference delayed, says Brahimi

UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi announced yesterday that the Syrian peace conference would not take place at the end of this month but said it was hoped the gathering would convene by the end of the year.

Mr Brahimi was speaking at the end of a day of consultations in Geneva with envoys of the five permanent UN Security Council members, Arab states, and Iran. He said the divided opposition’s failure to constitute a “credible delegation” remained a “main obstacle” which, he hoped, could be overcome by November 25th when he is set to again meet representatives of the US and Russia, sponsors of the conference.

Pointing out that 6,000 Syrians left their country daily, he said: “The only solution to the humanitarian crisis is a political solution.” His remarks coincided with a UN report stating that 40 per cent of Syrians are in urgent need of aid.

Humanitarian chief Valerie Amos told the security council that 9.3 million Syrians now required outside assistance to survive, an increase of 2.8 million since September, and 6.5 million were now homeless within Syria, a rise of 2.25 million.

Syria’s population is 23 million. Half could be in need of aid by year’s end if the situation continues to slide at the current rate.

“The humanitarian situation inside Syria continues to deteriorate rapidly and inexorably,” Ms Amos said.

She called on council members to press the government and opposition fighters to ensure protection of civilians, safe passage for doctors and medical and relief supplies.

This followed the government’s pledge to ensure delivery of vaccinations and supplies across the country after 35 cases of polio were reported in the northeast, and malnutrition was found in areas under siege.

The US ambassador to the UN, Irish-born Samantha Power, contrasted the government's co-operation with experts destroying Syria's chemical weapons with its refusal to grant visas and access to 55 UN aid workers who could alleviate civilian suffering.

Conference obstacles
While the humanitarian situation makes the conference all the more urgent, it is still unclear who will attend. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov argued that invitees should include the Gulf states, including Iran although its participation is being rejected by the US, Saudi Arabia and the Syrian opposition.

Despite a call by Arab League foreign ministers to take part, Ahmed Jarba, head of the western and Arab-backed National Coalition has also demanded a timetable for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to stand down and a ceasefire during the conference. Armed factions independent of the coalition have said attendance at the conference would amount to treachery.

Although the Syrian government has pledged to participate, information minister Omran al-Zobi said: “We will not go to Geneva to hand over power” or negotiate a transitional authority as demanded by external powers, notably Saudi Arabia. Dr Assad “will remain head of state”.

The peace plan adopted in June 2012 calls for the establishment of a transitional government with full executive powers and ends with elections but Dr Assad’s role has not been defined. He has said he could run for re-election next year.