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Issue of Direct Talks With Syria Opposition Not Raised With Damascus Delegation

© REUTERS / Pierre AlbouySyrian Ambassador to the U.N. Bashar al Jaafari (L) attends a meeting of Intra-Syria peace talks with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, February 25, 2017
Syrian Ambassador to the U.N. Bashar al Jaafari (L) attends a meeting of Intra-Syria peace talks with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, February 25, 2017 - Sputnik International
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Bashar Jaafari, the head of the Damascus delegation, stated that the Damascus delegation at the intra-Syria talks will welcome any awareness in western capitals on the issue of fighting terrorism in Syria seriously.

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. (File) - Sputnik International
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GENEVA (Sputnik) – The issue of direct talks with the Syrian opposition was not raised with the government delegation to the intra-Syria talks directly or indirectly, Bashar Jaafari, the head of the Damascus delegation, said Friday.

"This is something that has not been raised with us, neither directly nor indirectly, " Jaafari told reporters when asked whether his delegation had discussed with the United Nations the issue of direct talks.

The Damascus delegation at the intra-Syria talks will welcome any awareness in western capitals on the issue of fighting terrorism in Syria seriously, according to Jaafari.

"Any awakening in any western capitals would be something that we will welcome. Any serious return to fighting against terrorism will be welcomed, " Jaafari said, commenting on statements made by US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron on the issue, as well as those of Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

General view during a meeting of a delegation of Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) with UN Special Envoy for Syria during peace talks at the United Nations Offices in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19, 2017 - Sputnik International
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Bashar Jaafari also expressed his concerns over a "severe" deterioration of the humanitarian situation due to the actions of the international US-led coalition.

"I would like to express our concern about the military operations carried by the so-called international coalition, specifically in Raqqa and Tabqa. These military operations have led to a severe deterioration of a humanitarian situation. When we talk about humanitarian situation, of course I basically mean civilians, " Jaafari said.

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