Arab league chief: Geneva II's date maybe set next week

Arab League secretary general Nabil Al-Araby said there were "big possibilities" date of Geneva II meeting be announced next week, in the wake of meetings of relevant parties on sidelines of UN General Assembly's (UNGA) sessions. "Next week will witness a number of meetings all aim at ceasing fire and sending humanitarian aid, and there are big possibilities that the date of the Geneva II be agreed upon," Al-Araby told Arab reporters following his meeting with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. He hoped a date for the Geneva II be set because the Arab countries have been seeking a political solution in Syria for over two years. Al-Araby said he informed Ban of the Arab countries' support to US secretary of state John Kerry's endeavors vis-a-vis the Syrian conflict, in which more than 100,000 people were killed and millions displaced. "We hope this conflict ends in nine months," he added. He said the Arab position regarding the military strike against Syria was clear and that any action should take place through the UN and its Charter. Syrian opposition announced its chief Ahmad Al-Jarba would participate in deliberations over Syria in the UN next week. Al-Araby emphasized that the Palestinian cause was the core problem in the Middle East. Ban's press office said both officials discussed the situation in Syria and Libya, as well as the Middle East peace process. "They stressed the need to end the bloodshed in Syria as soon as possible, as well as to address the acute humanitarian needs there," the office said in a readout. It added that Ban reaffirmed the "importance" of strengthening collaboration between the United Nations and the Arab League.