BAGHDAD — The United Nations’ special envoy for Syria met with the Syrian foreign minister in Damascus Tuesday to discuss “unhindered” humanitarian access to besieged populations as world powers push for a halt in hostilities in the five-year conflict.
Staffan de Mistura’s surprise visit to the Syrian capital came just one day after devastating attacks on hospitals in the country’s north that U.N. agencies blamed on the Syrian government and its allies.
U.N. spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told a news briefing in Geneva that de Mistura also discussed with the Syrian foreign minister, Walid al-Moualem, the possibility of the resumption of peace talks later this month, Reuters reported from Geneva.
“We are witnessing a degradation on the ground that cannot wait,” spokesman Fawzi said at the Swiss news briefing.