Agreeing on political transition in Syria is the “mother of all issues,” the UN envoy for the war-ravaged country said on Monday, as a new round of peace talks was set to begin. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Staffan de Mistura stressed the importance of getting the talks quickly focused on “the real issues,” adding, “What is the real issueIJ The mother of all issues (is) political transition.”
“This is the moment of truth,” he said before his first official meeting with the Syrian Government delegation.
The long-awaited talks, which open on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict, mark the latest bid to end the bloodshed that has killed more than 2,70,000 people and displaced millions.
Analysts say much has changed since the last round collapsed in February, but that the huge government-opposition divide will complicate a settlement.