Spiegel's Interview with Former UN Syria Envoy Brahimi

'For almost two years, Lakhdar Brahimi sought to bring peace to Syria. But in May, the United Nations special envoy stepped down. He speaks with SPIEGEL about the stubbornness of Syrian President Assad, the mistakes of the West and the dangers presented by Islamic radicals.'

To read the Spiegel interview with Brahimi, please click here.

File photo: Homes, Syria; May 2014 (Spiegel) 

Women and Children To Be Allowed Out of Homs

First Concrete Outcome of Geneva II

The Geneva II talks between the Syrian government and the opposition achieved its first concrete outcome today: The Government will allow women and children to leave the besieged city of Homs. Lakhtar Brahimi, the UN Syria envoy and chief moderator at Geneva II talks, made the announcement today. (BBC News, 26 January)

Brahimi also announced that he hoped a humanitarian convoy from the UN and the Red Cross would be able to go to Homs on Monday. Hundreds of people are reportedly trapped in besieged parts of the city, including some who are very ill.

Photo credit: The old city of Homs has been under siege by government forces. (Reuters)

‘A Good Beginning,’ Brahimi on First Day of Syria Peace Talks

UN Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said representatives from Syrian government and the opposition met in the same room at UN’s Palais des Nations for about three hours on Saturday.

“They have talked to each other this afternoon,” Brahimi told journalists at a Geneva press conference at the conclusion of the first day of joint talks. Describing the set up in the room, he said, “One delegation was at a table on the left, the other on the right, facing each other. They talk through me, to one another. ” (The Back Channel/Al-Monitor, 25 January)

“This is what happens in civilized discussions, ” Brahimi added. “I think it is a good beginning.”
The two sides discussed a possible agreement to send an aid convoy to the besieged city of Homs for possible approval on Sunday, Brahimi said. The two sides will also discuss prisoner releases on Sunday.

“The most important element discussed today was on humanitarian corridors for Homs, which has been besieged for the past 19 months without food,” Louay Safi, a spokesman for the Syrian Opposition Coalition negotiating team told journalists at a press conference Saturday evening.

“Now we are going through the preparatory phase of securing the release of detainee,” Safi said. (The Back Channel/Al-Monitor, 25 January)

The parties on Monday will begin discussing the formation of a transitional governing body, Safi added.

Photo credit: UN Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi reporting on the first day of talks between Syrian government and the opposition. Geneva, 25 January 2014. (The Back Channel/Al-Monitor)

Syria Peace Talks Get Underway in Syria - Signs of Progress

A face-to-face meeting between the Syrian government and the opposition has started in Geneva. This is the first time in three years of civil war that the two sides negotiate face to face. UN special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is presiding over the meeting.

UPDATE: The first meeting between leaders of the Syrian government and the opposition was tense but lasted three hours. An opposition spokesman told reporters after the meeting that the two sides will begin discussing formation of a transitional government on Monday. (NBC News, 25 January)

File photo: UN Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi (AP

Iran Unwelcome at Syria Peace Talks – U.S.

Lakhdar Brahimi, United Nations' joint special representative for Syria, announced today in Geneva that the U.S. has refused to let Iran participate at Geneva II, the Syria peace talks scheduled to be held in January.

“(Washington) were not convinced that inviting Iran to participate was the right thing to do,” Brahimi said. (BBC, 20 December)

Photo credit: Lakhdar Brahimi (C) waits with other delegates before a meeting at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva. December 20, 2013. (Reuters/VOA)

Iran Foreign Minister Meets with International Envoy Brahimi to Discuss Syria

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi met with UN-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi today in Cairo and discussed the latest proposals to end the civil war in the country. Salehi is in Cairo on a visit and has held talks with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and his Egyptian counterpart Kamal Amr.

Salehi reportedly pointed to the “difficult and sensitive” situation in Syria and voiced Iran’s readiness to “cooperate and help settle” the crisis. Iran has been a staunch supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Brahimi and Salehi called for the continuation of bilateral consultations in the future.

Photo: Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi (right) and UN-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi (Press TV)

Assad Defiant in Speech to Syrian People

‘Will Not Negotiate with Terrorists’

By Nader Uskowi

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad proposed a plan on Sunday to resolve the country’s 21-month uprising with a new constitution and cabinet. In his hourlong speech, Assad did not acknowledge the advances by the rebels fighting against him nor did he accept any responsibility or offer any apologies or regrets over tens of thousands of casualties caused by his military crackdown of the opposition movement. He also ruled out talks with the opposition and ignored its central demand that he step down. (New York Times, 6 January)

In his first public speech since June 2012, he said the movement against him was driven by “murderous criminals” and foreign-financed terrorists, and all but rejected international efforts to broker a compromise. His speech came a week after UN-Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi visited Damascus in a push to have the government and the opposition negotiate a solution to the conflict.

“Everyone who comes to Syria knows that Syria accepts advice but not orders,” Assad said. “Who should we negotiate with — terrorists?” He added. “We will negotiate with their masters.” (NYT, 6 December)

There were no immediate comments from Mr. Brahimi if based on what Assad said should he continue with his mission.

Photo credit: President Bashar al-Assad of Syria spoke at the Opera House in Damascus. Sunday 6 January 2013. (Reuters/NYT)