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.
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.
Makdissi — who resigned from his post in December 2012 — acknowledged that it would be a long process, but a necessary one after both sides failed to “wipe each other out.”
Progress can be made at Geneva II despite Iran’s absence, Makdissi said, but Tehran — as the Syrian regime’s main ally — is ultimately needed to implement any agreement on the ground.
