15 March 2016 (UN News): On a day that began with a minute of silence in honour of those that have lost their lives during the five-year conflict in Syria, the United Nations envoy mediating peace talks among the Syrian parties gave a progress report, saying that opposition representatives raised the issue of detainees today, as well as humanitarian aid to Daraya and other sites of heavy fighting.
Taskforce overseeing aid delivery
This was the second day of the new round of intra-Syrian talks, proximity discussions between Government and opposition representatives being mediated by Mr. de Mistura.
He said the HNC also raised the issue of extending humanitarian aid to more areas. These could include Daraya, where control has shifted between pro and anti-Government forces over the past years.
Both issues, the envoy said, could be taken up by the humanitarian taskforce, which has been created by the International Syrian Support Group (ISSG) to oversee aid delivery since a cessation of hostilities took hold on 27 February.
Russian withdrawal
Mr. de Mistura said that he would meet again tomorrow morning (Wednesday) with the Government delegation. He would then leave for Bern, where he would inform the Swiss Government, which is supporting the process, about the discussions.
As an addition to his international team, the UN envoy appointed Vitaly Naumkin, a Russian expert and academic who will report to Mr. de Mistura.
The UN official said he offered the same option to the United States, who is the other co-chair of the ISSG.
