U.N. Syria envoy invites U.S. and six allies for talks next month

The envoy de Mistura is tasked with forming a committee of Syrian citizens to draw up the new constitution.

By REUTERS
Updated: AUGUST 28, 2018 17:31
Syrian forces of President Bashar Assad are seen on al-Haara hill in Quneitra area, Syria July 17, 2018 (photo credit: SANA/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Syrian forces of President Bashar Assad are seen on al-Haara hill in Quneitra area, Syria July 17, 2018
(photo credit: SANA/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
GENEVA - UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura has invited the United States and six other countries for talks in Geneva next month, a UN spokeswoman said on Tuesday, as the United Nations continues its push for a new Syrian constitution.
He plans to meet senior representatives from the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Germany, France and Egypt on Sept. 14th, two days after he meets officials from Russia, Turkey and Iran on Sept 11th-12th for previously announced talks.
"This is going to be an opportunity to discuss the way ahead on the political process," UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci said.
De Mistura is tasked with forming a committee of Syrian citizens to draw up the new constitution, after receiving nominations from the Syrian government and the opposition.
Analyst: US uses alleged chemical weapon attack in Syria as pretext for missile strikes, August 27, 2018 (Reuters)
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The planned meetings follow a similar set of talks with both groups of countries in June, although Egypt was not involved in that round.
The discussions about setting up a constitutional committee have made slow progress and represent a big downgrade in the United Nations' ambitions for Syrian peace talks.
For two years the warring sides repeatedly came to Geneva, in a futile search for agreement on political reforms, a new constitution and new elections.

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But this year, with little US political involvement and major gains on the battlefield by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies, the UN political process has largely evaporated.