Confidence, patience, persistence needed in Syria peace talks: Chinese FM

MONTREUX, Switzerland, Jan. 22 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday said confidence, patience and persistence are needed in Syria peace talks.

The path of peace talks between different parties from Syria is bound to be tortuous with twists and turns, therefore confidence, patience and persistence are needed in order to find a middle way, said Wang at the Geneva II conference on Syria held here on Wednesday.

"Everyone who loves peace views this meeting a milestone," he said, noting that it has been not easy for different parties from Syria to sit down together for negotiation.

"So we should cherish this opportunity and keep on talking, bearing in mind that understanding each other and making compromise are important in producing a resolution," Wang said.

To resolve the conflicts in Syria is urgent, while the priority is to cease fire and stop violence, Wang told representatives at the meeting held in the lakeside city of Montreux.

"Military actions are doomed to fail," he said, urging different parties from Syria to stick to the road of political resolution, so as to find a middle way that suits Syria's real national situation and addresses interests of both sides.

He proposed that Syria learn from other nations as how to settle domestic disputes, and set up a transitional governing body that is recognized by both sides and exerts full administerial power.

"The talk should be carried on step-by-step," Wang said. "They should reach agreement in principles first, before making progress in less controversial issues."

He noted that the Geneva conference was a lasting process. "It should become an open platform with follow-up mechanism provided so as to boost involvement of all those who would like to resolve the problem," Wang said.

The minister called for respect for Syrian people's will for unity, and pointed out the danger of split of the country.

He said he believed the stability of Syria is crucial to regional security, and warned against the spread of terrorism and extremism.

Wang stressed that voices from all parties be equally heard, and all ethnical and religious groups and factions have their rights and interests balanced, especially minority groups, women and refugees.

"We should be wary of any behavior of discrimination, instigation and revenge," he said.

As for the international community, Wang said it should play a positive role as a major mediator, giving advice that is helpful for reconciliation, but must not impose any political scheme on Syria.

"China is here for peace and for reconciliation," he said. "And we stick to our view that the conflict should be resolved through peace talks."

He reiterated the "five insists": insisting on political resort, Syrian people's own decisions, political transition with inclusiveness, unity and reconciliation, and humanitarian aid.

"To achieve the peaceful resolution, China gives its support for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapon and its fleet are currently escorting in the Mediterranean Sea," he said.

China has also sent more than 100 million yuan (16.7 million U.S. dollars) to Syria and its neighboring countries for people suffering from the turmoil.

It recently offered Syria relief worth 20 million yuan. Wang announced at the conference that more aid worth another 20 million yuan is to be provided.

The United Nations-backed international conference, dubbed Geneva II after an initial meeting was held on June 30, 2012, is aimed to end the three-year Syrian conflict that has so far killed at least 130,000.

It is chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and brings together representatives from both the Syrian government and opposition organizations for the first time in three years.