Saudi Foreign Minister: Assad, allies would not go scot-free

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir stressed that what is going on in Aleppo is a flagrant violation of human rights and the UN Resolution on ceasefire.

In statements following a meeting with US State Secretary John Kerry on Monday in Geneva, he underlined that Syrian President Bashar al Assad and his allies will not go unpunished.

He said Saudi Arabia is exerting strenuous efforts to secure a political transition in Syria without Assad, calling for a truce across Syria.

He urged adhering to Geneva conventions, adding that Assad has committed a "criminal act" in Aleppo.

He voiced hope that planned talks between UN Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday would be fruitful and push forward peace talks in Syria.

Meanwhile, Kerry expressed concerns about the situation in Aleppo, voicing hope that Geneva talks would realize some progress within the coming two days concerning renewing truce and resuming peace talks.

Kerry said he agreed with the Saudi top diplomat to exert all needed efforts to press the Syrian opposition to return to the negotiating table, urging Russia and Iran to press the Syrian regime too.

Kerry considered both the opposition and the regime as responsible for the spread of chaos and escalating violence in Aleppo.

Source: MENA