Third Intra-Syrian Talks Possible - Syrian Foreign Minister

Damascus requires the second meeting in Moscow but if the parties do not reach a comprehensive agreement, a third session might be needed, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A third intra-Syrian meeting is possible if a comprehensive agreement is not reached after the second round of Moscow peace talks, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said in an interview with Press TV.

When responding to a question asking if a meeting similar to the Moscow one could be held in Syria, Muallem told the media Wednesday, “This is what the Syrian government is pursuing, but this issue requires negotiation with domestic and foreign opposition and the Moscow meeting sought the same thing.”

The minister added that Damascus required the second meeting in Moscow but if the parties did not reach a comprehensive agreement, a third session might be needed.

Muallem once again highlighted that Syria continues to cooperate with Russia on a wide range of issues, including in political, economic and military areas.

The first round of intra-Syrian peace talks took place in Moscow on January 26-29. Representatives from the Syrian government and opposition parties sat down at the negotiating table with the UN special envoy for Syria to seek an end to the country's civil war.

After the talks, a Syrian opposition delegate told RIA Novosti that the second round of intra-Syrian talks may take place in Moscow in late February or early March.

Syria's internal conflict began in 2011. The country's army is fighting several opposition and rebel groups, including the Islamic State. The civil war has claimed nearly 200,000 lives so far, according to UN estimates.