SYRIAN CONFLICT SHOULD BE ENDED BY DIALOGUE: INDONESIAN FM

Swiss, 21 Rabi al-Awwal 1435/23 January 2014 ( MINA ) – The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister, Marty Natalegawa told Geneva Conference II, Wednesday, that diplomacy and negotiations should be taken as a precedence in seeking a comprehensive solution to the Syrian conflict.

“Indonesia believes dialogue and diplomacy should always be prioritized and emphasized in the resolution of every conflict , including the Syrian conflict,” Marty said in a meeting held in Montreaux, Switzerland, according to a Foreign Office press release received by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency ( MINA).

Marty insisted Geneva II conference is very important because it is the first time that the both parties of the Syrian conflict (regime and oppositions) sit down on one table.

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The meeting led by UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon will be followed by a meeting between both parties, in Geneva on January 24, facilitated by the UN Special Envoy to Syria , Lakhdar Brahimi.

“Indonesia is aware that the situation in Syria is very complex. But the most important thing now is to stop the war as soon as possible. We must put the interests and safety of citizens above the other groups interests,” said Marty .

At the meeting , Marty on behalf of Indonesia urged the three main things in resolving the conflict that has been lasting almost three years.

“First , the Syrian conflict cannot be solved through military solution. Dialogue and diplomacy is the best Solution to stop the crisis. Second , cessation of armed violence must be a priority and it is the key to stop the human tragedy in Syria . Third, humanitarian aid should be channeled to civilians, “said Marty .

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The second Geneva Conference attended by 39 countries which are specifically invited, including Indonesia. The other participants are the countries in the region surrounding Syria and other countries that are considered to make an important contribution to the windup of the Syrian conflict.

The conference was also expected to garner the support of international community in the process of constructive negotiations between the warring parties in Syria to reach a comprehensive settlement.( T/P04/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency ( MINA )