UN-mediated Syrian peace talks resume as aid lifeline to Homs extended

Geneva, 11 February 2014: United Nations-sponsored talks between the Syrian Government and opposition resumed on Monday, 10 days after a first round ended with little progress, in efforts to end the civil war. Now, humanitarian access to a city cut off by siege for nearly two years was extended for another three days.

UN-Arab League Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi met negotiators from both sides in Geneva to discuss the agenda of the second round of talks, centering on an end to violence and terrorism and the establishment of a transitional governing body.

The basis of the talks is full implementation of an action plan adopted in the so-called Geneva Communiqué of 2012, the first international conference on the conflict, calling for a transitional government to lead to free and fair elections to end a war. So far 100,000 people have been killed and nearly 9 million others driven from their homes since the conflict erupted between President Bashar al-Assad and various groups seeking his ouster nearly three years ago.

But a major issue of the first round, which ended on 31 January with Mr. Brahimi reporting “no progress, to speak of,” was access to humanitarian aid for 1.6 million Syrians, some of whom have been trapped for almost two years without regular food supplies.

Some progress emerged last week when agreement was reached on a three-day ceasefire to allow people out and aid into the Old City of Homs, where 2,500 Syrians have been trapped without succor for nearly two years in what has become an iconic symbol of the suffering endured by civilians in the war’s relentless bombardments and sieges.

But the “humanitarian pause” had barely begun with the evacuation of 83 people on Friday when sniper and other fire temporarily interrupted the process. This continued throughout the weekend, deliberately targeting UN and Syrian Red Crescent workers and leading to the deaths of 11 people even as more than 800 people were eventually evacuated from the Old City and some vital food and medical supplies made their way in.

“The protection of civilians caught up in this horrendous conflict in Syria is the greatest priority for UN agencies and humanitarian partners,” she added, highlighting the “extremely dangerous circumstances” in which aid workers have been operating.

Ms. Amos cited UN and Red Crescent workers as telling her that many of those who left Old Homs were traumatized and weak. “They also said that they witnessed terrible conditions at the field hospital in the Old City, where the equipment is basic, there are no medicines and people are in urgent need of medical attention,” she added, stressing the right of all wounded and sick, both civilians and combatants to medical aid under international laws. Source: UN