"Indonesia believes in the power of diplomacy and peaceful settlement of dispute. We urge the people of Syria to avoid prolonging this conflict, as with each passing day there are more casualties," Marty said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa called for an immediate resolution to the Syrian crisis following failed peace negotiations between President Bashar Al Assads side and the opposition held in Geneva, on February 15.

"Indonesia believes in the power of diplomacy and peaceful settlement of dispute. We urge the people of Syria to avoid prolonging this conflict, as with each passing day there are more casualties," Marty noted after meeting the US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday.

Marty claimed that the international community must engineer and enforce a ceasefire and ensure that there will be a transitional government in place in Syria. Marty also emphasized the need for extending humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people.

Meanwhile, John Kerry blamed Bashar Al Assads side for the failure of the recent peace talks in Geneva.

"Right now, Assads side has not engaged in the discussion (Geneva talk) along the promised and required standard that it and its ally, Russia, had earlier spoken. During the negotiation, Assads team had refused to discuss the key issue regarding the establishment of a transitional government to replace the current regime. It is very clear that Assad is trying to win this in the battlefield, instead of negotiating it," Kerry emphasized.

The state secretary called on the international community to determine the future course of action regarding the conflict in Syria following the failure of peace negotiations in Geneva.

Earlier, the United Nations mediator for Syrian conflict Lakhdar Brahimi tendered an apology to the Syrian people after peace talks in Geneva earlier this week ended without any substantial progress.

"I am very, very sorry, and I apologize to the Syrian people that we havent helped them very much," remarked Mr. Brahimi, the United Nations/Arab League Joint Special Representative during a press conference.

While no date was set to resume the talks, he presented both the sides with an agenda for the next round, as he did not want them losing another week or 10 days as it happened on this occasion. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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