Brahimi: Arming Syrian Opposition Not the Right Decision

The United Nations and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, expressed doubts on Tuesday about the possibility of holding the Geneva II conference in the next month of July.
In a press conference he held in Geneva, Brahimi said the situation in Syria has not been improved since the first Geneva conference, adding that the international community is aware that the Syrian crisis threatens the international security and stability.

Brahimi pointed out that Tuesday’s meeting, in which he will participate along with representatives from Russia and the United States in Geneva, will discuss the date of the Geneva II conference and the parties that will take part in it, describing the Syrian government’s participation in the conference as a positive signal.

Turning to the arms supply provided to the parties to the conflict in Syria, the UN envoy said “it is not the right thing.”

Touching on the latest events in the Lebanese southern city of Sidon, Brahimi considered them related to the Syrian situation, recalling the UN chief’s statement on Monday in which he denounced those events.

Brahimi stressed the necessity to take the necessary steps so that the three parties (Russia, the United States and the United Nations) and others will be able to provide the appropriate conditions for the success of the Geneva II, including the parties that will attend and the best date for holding it.

The UN official also ruled out the possibility of announcing the conference date soon, stating that the closest meeting of the Syrian opposition will be held at 4-5 July.

“I do not think they will be ready,” he said.