Fourth Syrian constitutional talks conclude

Geneva, Dec 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The fourth meeting of the Small Body of the Syrian Constitutional Committee has concluded here after week-long discussions aimed at forming a new constitution to pave the way for a political solution for the decade-long conflict in the country, a UN envoy confirmed.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Geir O. Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, said that the delegations have agreed that the next meeting will be starting on January 25, and they also have agreed on the agenda, which is constitutional principles or basic principles of the future new Syrian constitution, reports Xinhua news agency.

"During the week, they have rather more precisely discussed a wide range of topics," the envoy said.

Saying that the delegations were here to listen to the differences, Pedersen told reporters that there were still "very strong different narratives" and a lot of emotions during the just-concluded meeting.

"But I think, perhaps more importantly, what we experienced through this week was more and more that people were listening attentively to each other, they were listening with respect," he said.

"The conflict has lasted far too long, and the Syrian people are suffering and suffering deeply. They need to see the political process move forward in 2021."

The fourth round had kicked off in Geneva on Monday.

The Syrian Constitutional Committee, which comprises representatives of the Syrian government, the opposition, and civil society, was officially launched in Geneva on October 30, 2019.

The Committee's Small Body, including 45 delegates with 15 each from the three groups, held its last session in Geneva in August this year, without making any major progress.

Source: IANS