Brahimi: Not yet clear who will attend Geneva II

The UN-Arab League special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi said it was not yet clear who would be the people or countries to take part in the Geneva II conference, set for January 22. "We are still preparing the full list of participants, and we will hold a trilateral meeting on December 20 which might be the last before Geneva II," Brahimi told a news conference following his meeting with representatives of the Russian foreign ministry and US state department. The UN, he added, was working with the Syrian government and opposition to determine names of delegations to attend the Geneva II. The two sides, said Brahimi, should "inform us of them (names) as soon as possible and before year end, because it is important that we talk with them and listen from them." Brahimi did not confirm nor deny the invitation of Iran or Saudi Arabia to the conference, saying the list of invitees were being considered. The list is long, he added, but the important "factor to participate is for those who want to build new Syria." The conference "will be held to bring the Syrians to Geneva to talk with each other, hoping they will start a comprehensive political process," he said. The formation of a transitional authority is the most important agreement to be struck in Geneva II, said Brahimi, citing the communique of Geneva I of last year.