Lagos – The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, on Tuesday appealed to the parties in conflict in Syria to go
forward with the best interest of their country in mind.
Kerry made the appeal in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos by the African Media Hub of U.S. Department of State.
“For almost five years, the world has watched in horror as Syria has disintegrated into a brutal conflict, killing hundreds of thousands
and displacing millions both within and outside the country.
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“Syria today is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, unmatched since World War II.
“I urge all parties to seize this opportunity and go forward with the best interests of their country in mind,’’ the statement said.
According to the statement, the UN Security Council has created a framework for bringing the war in Syria to an end.
It said that the framework was meant to embrace a ceasefire, humanitarian access, a transition process and elections within 18
months for Syrians to determine their country’s future.
The statement also reminded the parties that officials of the Syrian regime and an inclusive opposition represented by the High
Negotiations Committee had commenced a UN-sponsored negotiations in Geneva.
“I appeal to both sides to seize the opportunity for serious negotiations, to negotiate in good faith with the goal of making
measurable progress in the days ahead.
“Without negotiations, the bloodshed will drag on until the last city is reduced to rubble, every form of infrastructure and every semblance
of civilisation is destroyed.
“We therefore, call on the parties in Geneva to take the first urgent steps not to miss the chance this moment presents,’’ it said.(NAN)