'I Am Very, Very Sorry,' Says Mediator as Syria Talks Stall

Second round hits impasse, and next steps are uncertain
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 15, 2014 8:56 AM CST
'I Am Very, Very Sorry,' Says Mediator as Syria Talks Stall
Syrian chief negotiator Bashar Jaafari, center, arrives for the talks in Geneva.   (Salvatore Di Nolfi)

This is not what the main mediator in Syrian peace talks hoped to say today at the end of direct negotiations: "I am very, very sorry, and I apologize to the Syrian people that their hopes which were very, very high that something will happen here." The apology came from UN-Arab League mediator Lakhdar Brahimi in Geneva after talks between the government of Bashar al-Assad and the opposition failed to break an impasse. The future of the negotiating process is now in doubt, with no date set for a third session.

Brahimi said he would consult with UN, US, and Russian officials about a way forward. He said a main sticking point was that the Syrian government refuses to discuss the possibility of a creating a "transitional governing body" for the nation, and that's a deal-breaker. Rather than another futile round of talks, "I think it is better that every side goes back and reflect and take their responsibility: Do they want this process to take place or not?" (More Syria stories.)

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