Belgium wants Assad out of Syria talks

Belgium said yesterday that it favoured negotiations on a political solution to end the conflict in Syria, but insisted that President Bashar al-Assad not be part of talks. Belgium also raised fears that it could be a very long civil war, as Jordan too urged a political solution. “It’s a dramatic situation; it’s a real tragedy for the population in Syria. We are afraid of a very long civil war in the country, so we are trying to support a political solution if it’s possible,” foreign minister Didier Reynders said at a news conference in Amman. “We are in favour of negotiations but without President Assad.” Jordanian foreign minister Nasser Judeh (pictured) said his country wanted a “political solution that will ensure that Syria remains united”. Jordan is hosting 400,000 Syrian refugees who have fled the daily bloodshed in their homeland. The ministers made their remarks as Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Muallem stressed in Moscow that Damascus was ready for talks with armed rebels and anyone who favours dialogue. Reynders, meanwhile, said Belgium would provide €9 million in aid to hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in the region. He said the aid included €1 million for Jordan’s northern Zaatari refugee camp, home to around 90,000 Syrians. The UN has warned that refugee numbers in countries neighbouring Syria could reach 1.1 million within months.

(AFP)