Syria Talks Shift to Political Issues | WPN World People News

On Monday, the discussion is to turn to the core issue of these talks, the political future of Syria. Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Makdad said Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad is not going anywhere.

“If any opposition, when they want, I mean, a leader to step down, you will not find a single leader in the world," Makdad said. "If some people think we are coming here to give them the keys to Damascus, they are wrong.”

Makdad was defiant and emotional in an hour-long news conference. He blamed all of Syria's problems on terrorists and foreigners.

There has been harsh rhetoric from both delegations, with each saying the other is insincere and illegitimate.

Opposition delegation member Monzer Akbik said progress on the Homs issue will be a test for the government, but the political talks will go ahead in any case.

“If there are no aid convoys entered Homs, then we consider that the other party is not serious about this process," Akbik said. "And if there's no progress in this area, we will still move on with the political talks Monday.”

The mediator expressed the hope that talking about humanitarian issues and prisoners first would make it easier, or at least possible, to talk about the more difficult issue of political transition.

But Brahimi indicated Monday's talks will only be a beginning.

“On the first day nobody made an opening statement. Only I did. So I think Monday I expect the two parties to make some general statement about the way forward,” he said.

Brahimi said the process will be slow, but added that is not necessarily a bad thing because any progress needs to be solid.

Source: Voice of America