UN envoy meets with Syrian opposition in S. Arabia
- 9 years ago
The UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, was in Riyadh Tuesday for talks with diplomats and Syrian opposition representatives on efforts to end the nearly five-year war, an Arab source said.
His visit comes amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia, the main Sunni power in the region, and Shiite-dominated Iran over Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric and dissident.
There are concerns that the row could derail growing efforts to end the conflict, as Riyadh backs rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad and Iran supports the Syrian president's regime.
De Mistura is also expected in Iran later this week and in Damascus on Saturday, according to UN sources.
His visit comes amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia, the main Sunni power in the region, and Shiite-dominated Iran over Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric and dissident.
There are concerns that the row could derail growing efforts to end the conflict, as Riyadh backs rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad and Iran supports the Syrian president's regime.
De Mistura is also expected in Iran later this week and in Damascus on Saturday, according to UN sources.