Attempts by Syria’s Riyadh-backed opposition to frustrate peace talks unacceptable - Russian diplomat

GENEVA, February 4. /TASS/. Attempts by the Syrian opposition delegation that was formed in Riyadh to frustrate settlement talks are absolutely unacceptable and its excuses are groundless, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Thursday. "Naturally, we express regret that United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura had to take a decision to suspend the talks due to the position taken by the Riyadh delegation at today’s meeting," he said. "Their attempts to frustrate the negotiating process under an excuse that Russia continues its military operation in Syria are absolutely unacceptable as the case in hand is the fight against the terrorism threat in that country. Their another excuse for not taking part in the talks - the deteriorated humanitarian situation in Syria - is also absolutely untenable." Gatilov stressed that United Nations Security Council resolution 2254 establishes no links between the solution to humanitarian problems and the launch of the negotiating process. "So, what the Riyadh opposition is saying is absolutely groundless. And we cannot consider it as anything else but an attempt to freeze, and actually, to frustrate the negotiating process," the Russian diplomat said. Read more