At the end of their meeting, Assad and de Mistura "agreed ... to find a successful political solution in Syria and to return security and stability throughout Syria," SANA said.
The agency said de Mistura briefed Assad "on the results of his consultations in Geneva with Syrians who represent various sides of Syrian society."
On May 5, de Mistura launched a fresh round of consultative talks in Geneva with regional and local stakeholders in Syria's conflict, including Iran, in a bid to kickstart political negotiations on the crisis.
Participants have included government officials and members of the opposition-in-exile National Coalition, as well as representatives from regional countries, policy experts and civil society groups.
The talks will continue throughout July, after which de Mistura will present an assessment to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
Assad and de Mistura also discussed the deaths of dozens of civilians Monday in rebel rocket fire on government-controlled parts of Aleppo city, SANA said, referring to the deaths as a "massacre by terrorists."
Monday's toll was one of the highest for the regime-held part of the city since the Syria conflict began in 2011.
Assad warned that the world's "silence about the crimes committed by terrorists will encourage them to continue their terrorism."
"The whole world must wake up to the danger that this terrorism poses to security and stability, and it must take a clear and firm position against those who fund and arm and facilitate movement for terrorists," SANA cited Assad as saying.
In a statement, de Mistura strongly condemned the deaths, but said they should not "justify in any case a retaliation on populated areas through barrel bombs by the Syrian government."
Barrel bombs are crude weapons, made of containers packed with explosives and scrap metal, that are typically dropped from helicopters and are one of the regime's weapons of choice.
Their use has been criticised by human rights groups because of the indiscriminate death toll they cause among civilians when dropped on residential areas.
AFP
dailystar.com.lb
16/6/15
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U.N. Syria envoy condemns attacks by both sides, seeks greater access...
ReplyDeleteThe United Nations mediator for Syria, who held talks with President Bashar al-Assad this week, on Wednesday condemned the government's "unacceptable" heavy bombing of civilian areas near Damascus and deadly rebel attacks on Aleppo.
U.N. special envoy Staffan de Mistura called on both sides to allow greater access to besieged areas, especially in view of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which starts this week. He also reiterated the need for a political settlement........Reuters.......todayonline.com
17/6/15