IOM Hopes Syria Proximity Talks to Restart Soon – Director General

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) hopes that Syria peace talks will restart soon as suffering continues in the war-torn country, the IOM director general told Sputnik.

GENEVA (Sputnik) — The latest round of UN-mediated proximity talks between the Syrian government and opposition factions ended in April. On Wednesday, Syrian authorities announced a nationwide 72-hour silence regime to mark the end of the holy month Ramadan.

"I’ve just come back from Syria and the suffering is great <…> So I think the sooner the talks can restart again the better. We have great confidence in the leadership in the talks and we hope that it will happen quickly," William Lacy Swing said.

The IOM chief complained about a lack of "humanitarian solutions" for Syria. The number of internally displaced persons and refugees continues to grow, he said, while the current assistance levels are not enough to help all those in need.

"Clearly, we need as soon as possible ceasefire so that the talks can continue, war can stop and people can then resume their lives. It is absolutely critical because if you can get these talks going, that will help with talks in other crisis areas," he said.

A Russia-US-brokered ceasefire came into effect in Syria in February. Extremist groups operating in the country are not part of the ceasefire.