Skip to main content

Former Syrian official backs Geneva political process

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, former Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi says that a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia will eventually be required to end the fighting in Syria.
Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jihad Makdissi speaks during a news conference in Damascus June 25, 2012. Syrian air defences had to react immediately to a Turkish jet flying at 100 metres (330 feet) altitude inside Syrian airspace in what was "a clear breach of Syrian sovereignty", Makdissi said on Monday. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR344TP

World powers should focus on a long-term political solution to the Syrian crisis when they meet in Montreaux, Switzerland on Jan. 22, Syria’s former Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi told Al-Monitor in an exclusive telephone interview.

Syrians need to “stay optimistic” about the peace talks, as Geneva “is the only platform we have as Syrians today,” he said.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.