UN envoy calls Syria ceasefire talks 'long, painful and disappointing'

The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) meeting that was held on 22 September was meant to discuss measures to revive the collapsed ceasefire in the war-torn country. However, the participating countries US and Russia, who co-chaired the meet, were unable to come to any decision regarding peace initiatives in Syria.

UN Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura described the New York meeting as "long, painful and disappointing," but added that he was still hopeful the two countries would pay serious attention to brokering peace in the region.

After the talks concluded, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington could not be the only party trying to hold open the door to peace, while the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, called on the Syrian opposition to compromise.

"The question now is whether there remains any real chance of moving forward, because it is clear that we cannot continue on the same path any longer," Kerry said. "The first thing that we have to do is find a way to restore credibility to the process, if that can be done."

Addressing the issue of renewing the ceasefire, the secretary of state added, "The only way to achieve that is if the ones that have the air power in that part of the conflict simply stop using it.

"Not for one day or two, but for as long as possible so that everyone sees that they are serious."

The 23-member ISSG conference was held alongside the UN General Assembly to attempt to renew ceasefire talks after the Syrian army announced the start of a new military offensive in the rebel-held east of the city of Aleppo. A week-long ceasefire had previously been called for on 12 September following which the US and Russia had promised to carry out joint air strikes on key areas of the Nusra Front and Islamic State (Isis).

A few days into the ceasefire, a humanitarian convoy heading for Aleppo was attacked and a number of aid trucks were destroyed, killing more than 20 aid workers.

The US has urged Russia and the Syrian government to halt all air traffic over the battle zones, a move that Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said gained majority support from those at the ISSG meeting.

"We have not succeeded so far, but there was a lot of support around the table for the proposal, a temporary ban for all flights in order to create the conditions for the truce," he said.