There is practically no “sane opposition” in Syria, which could participate in negotiations of the settlement of the conflict in the country. This statement was made by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson.

‘It is especially important to avoid the destruction of power institutions in Syria due to the fact that in contrast with 2012 the country doesn’t have any sane opposition to negotiate with’, he said. There is such a kind of opposition which, probably, has no place at the table.

Eliasson said that under opposition he meant terrorist organizations like ISIS.

‘Even if we manage to achieve the consent of key countries like Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey, we will still have to deal with those who control the territory in the region’, the Deputy added.

The UN representative said that the key to reconciliation in Syria is in the hands of named states.