UN Envoy Proposes Syria 'Fighting Freeze'
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura presented an "action plan" for Syria, proposing to "freeze" fighting in local areas to allow for aid deliveries and to lay the groundwork for talks.
De Mistura told reporters after meeting with the UN Security Council that he did not have a peace plan but rather "an action plan" to ease suffering from the more than three-year war in Syria.
The envoy said the divided city of Aleppo would be a "good candidate" to become a "freeze zone". He did not describe in detail how it would work but said that agreement on a local level would be needed to suspend fighting.
"It should be something that freezes the conflict in that area and gives an opportunity for some type of humanitarian improvement and for the people to feel that, at least there, there will not be this type of conflict," he said.
Aleppo has been divided since a rebel offensive in summer 2012 between government-controlled sectors on its west side and rebel territory on the east, AFP reported.
The envoy said the "horrific trigger" of the offensive should provide an opportunity to "move forward" and seek ways to end the war that has killed more than 180,000 people and forced millions from their homes.
De Mistura was reporting to the 15-member council after making key visits to Russia and Iran, two countries that have influence with President Bashar al-Assad's government, and to Damascus last month.
Appointed in July, the Italian-Swedish diplomat is the third envoy tasked by the UN with brokering a peace deal for Syria.
