Geneva II conference on Syria underway

(Vatican Radio) Syria's government and opposition, traded accusations at a U.N. peace conference on Syria being held Wednesday in Switzerland. Opposition leader Ahmed Jarba accused President Bashar al-Assad of war crimes and demanded the Syrian government delegation sign up to an international plan for a transition of power.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem insisted Assad would not bow to outside demands.

Also at the Conference, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for immediate access to humanitarian aid for areas under siege.

Meanwhile,

The aid agency Christian Aid says that while it welcomes the international peace conference in Geneva, it is also warning that only an inclusive political settlement will end the violence and enable the people of Syria to rebuild their lives.

Lydia O’Kane spoke to Maeve Bateman, the agency’s policy change officer for the Middle East who says civil society has a crucial role to play in the search for peace in Syria.

“What we’re hoping for is that appropriate mechanisms will be developed to allow civil society to engage in this process and represent a broader sample of Syrians.”
The conference is hearing from around 40 foreign ministers.
Direct Syrian talks are scheduled to begin in Geneva on Friday.
The conflict in Syria has left more than 100,000 dead and millions displaced. Listen