The United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, held talks Friday in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry ahead of the upcoming Geneva meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee.
Shoukry and Pedersen discussed means of coordinating international efforts to press for a comprehensive political settlement for the ongoing Syrian crisis, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.
Egypt supports efforts of the UN envoy to end the current stalemate, Hafez quoted Shoukry as saying.
Cairo is keen to put an end to this crisis at the political, security and humanitarian levels, in line with the references of international legitimacy and Security Council Resolution 2254, while preserving Syria’s independence and territorial integrity, a statement released by the Foreign Ministry stressed.
Shoukry expressed hope that the next round of talks would produce a comprehensive political settlement to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people for stability and development, and an end to the extended humanitarian crisis, Hafez said.
Pedersen for his part, briefed Shoukry on the results of his contacts with the various parties concerned with the situation in Syria.
He expressed his “appreciation of the balanced and supportive Egyptian role in settling the crisis,” hoping to continue coordination and consultation with Cairo in this regard.
Pedersen also discussed the situation in Syria during his meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Pedersen presented a detailed explanation on the developments and humanitarian situation in Syria, and focused on the UN-sponsored political path, the official added.
He announced in late September that the Constitutional Committee, charged with producing a new constitution for war-torn Syria, would hold its 6th session in Geneva on October 18, after nearly nine months of a stalled political process.
The 45-member committee is equally divided between the Syrian regime, the opposition and civil society.
Aboul Gheit stressed on the need to focus on the deteriorating humanitarian situation of the Syrians due to the ongoing conflict, the official quoted him as saying.
He further pointed out that the political solution is the only means to end the decade-long crisis.