Sochi peace conference for Syria kicks off

A Russian-sponsored peace conference for Syria kicked off on Tuesday in the Black Sea Resort of Sochi after it has been delayed for almost two hours.

At least 1,500 participants from Syria, including 107 representatives of the Syrian opposition groups, are participating in the conference.

Addressing the attendants, the representative of the Syrian government Ghassan al Qalaa asserted the coherence of the Syrian people all over the past tough years, adding that without the steadfastness of the Syrian people, it would have been impossible to defeat the terrorist groups that sneaked into the country.

He called on all parties concerned to have their hands off Syria and its struggle as the people have suffered a lot as a result of such flagrant interventions.

Syrian people have the right to determine their future, he noted, adding “I call upon you in the name of millions of Syrian to have mercy upon our country.”

Earlier today، Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Artyom Kozhin told Russian news agencies that the conference was delayed but “will start soon.”

The conference is described by Moscow as an effort to speed up political settlement for the war-torn country.

Russian sources pointed out that the UN Security Council member states and the UN General Secretariat were invited to participate in the conference.

A number of countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and Kazakhstan, attend the conference as observers.

The guarantor states of Astana agreements and the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, were also invited to the congress، according to the sources.

About 500 journalists from 27 countries are covering the event.(MENA)