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Appetite for Destruction? Riyadh 'Seeks to Torpedo Geneva Talks'

© AFP 2023 / FABRICE COFFRINUnited Nations (UN) special envoy Staffan de Mistura (C-L) sits facing Syria's main opposition group during Syrian peace talks at the UN Offices in Geneva on February 1, 2016
United Nations (UN) special envoy Staffan de Mistura (C-L) sits facing Syria's main opposition group during Syrian peace talks at the UN Offices in Geneva on February 1, 2016 - Sputnik International
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The Saudi delegation is trying to drag out the Geneva peace talks on Syria until the November US presidential elections, according to Syrian political commentator Ali al-Ahmad.

Syrian Ambassador to the U.N. Bashar al Jaafari (C) attends a news conference during the Geneva peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland January 31, 2016 - Sputnik International
Syrian Government Refuses to Negotiate With Terrorists at Geneva Talks
The immediate goal of the Saudi delegation at the ongoing Geneva peace talks on Syria is to drag out the parleys until the presidential elections in the United States due in November 2016, RIA Novosti quoted Syrian political analyst Ali al-Ahmad as saying.

He said that Riyadh is also doing its best to torpedo the Geneva talks, something that he described as the ultimate goal of the Saudi delegation.

© REUTERS / Denis BalibouseTelevision vans are pictured ahead of the start of Syrian talks in front of the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 29, 2016.
Television vans are pictured ahead of the start of Syrian talks in front of the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 29, 2016. - Sputnik International
Television vans are pictured ahead of the start of Syrian talks in front of the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 29, 2016.

"This purpose is in line with the US plans to destroy this region and create controlled chaos there. As for the immediate goal, it is related to the extension of the talks until a change [takes place] in the US government," he said, referring to the upcoming presidential polls in the US.

According to him, a number of Arab states supporting the armed groups in Syria expect a new US government "which will deal with the Syrian issue like George Bush Jr. dealt with Iraq."

"In this sense, Russia and China will be the only countries that will be able to stop them," Ali al-Ahmad emphasized.

A man holds the flag of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) as Kurds living in Greece protest in central Athens on October 8, 2014 - Sputnik International
Turkey's ‘Fear of Kurds’ Spoils Geneva Talks on Syrian Reconciliation
The Geneva talks between the Syrian government and the representatives of the Syrian opposition kicked off on January 29 under the auspices of the UN.

The negotiations, which are being held in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 on settling the Syrian conflict, are expected to last at least six months. They are being mediated by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with the country's government fighting against multiple opposition factions and terrorist groups. The Geneva talks aim to bring together the Syrian government and opposition to settle the conflict between the sides.

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