GENEVA: International mediator Kofi Annan said on Friday he was ‘‘optimistic’’ that ministerial crisis talks on Syria’s conflict being held on Saturday would produce an acceptable outcome.
But senior envoys who had gathered in Geneva were huddled in private meetings today trying to come up with ways to break the deadlock on Syria’s political transition after Russia proposed changes to Annan’s plan, diplomats said.
‘‘I think we are going to have a good meeting tomorrow (Saturday). I am optimistic,’’ Annan told Reuters Television in Geneva as he arrived for preparatory discussions.
The talks being held in the Swiss city by foreign ministers of major powers and regional players will end ‘‘with an acceptable result’’, he said, without giving details.
Annan’s spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told Reuters: ‘‘The talks are on course.’’ After a delay, a preparatory meeting of senior officials began at 0945 GMT.
Russia proposed changes on Thursday to Annan’s plan for a national unity government in Syria, despite initially supporting it, but the United States, Britain and France rejected the amendments, Western diplomats said.
The suggested changes are related to Moscow’s refusal to support the ouster of Syrian President al-Assad, diplomats said on condition of anonymity.
U S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were due to hold talks today in St. Petersburg that could be decisive in breaking the impasse, diplomats said.
The pair are scheduled to attend the Geneva talks tomorrow.
Rebel forces attacked Syria’s main court in central Damascuson Thursday, state television said, while Turkey deployed troops and anti-aircraft rocket launchers to the Syrian border, building pressure on Assad. (Reuters)
