Syrian minister berates UN's envoy

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi Friday slammed the visiting UN-Arab League joint envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahami, apparently for putting the government and the rebels on a par with each other.

Following Brahimi's press conference here, in which he said "there are unacceptable practices both by the government and the armed opposition", al-Zoubi unleashed a barrage of criticism against him, reports Xinhua.

"Brahimi reflects lack of understanding of the military and field reality in Syria," al-Zoubi said, adding that "Brahimi has more than one language as if he wants to please one party over the other".

The minister further said that "Brahimi must be an even-handed envoy and an honourable mediator and not to put forward thoughts outside his competence".

He said that "Brahimi didn't have the audacity to name things by their names, such as the Al Qaeda and Nusra Front" who are fighting in Syria against the government.

In a press conference during his five-day visit to Syria, Brahimi said that the opposition attendance to the Geneva II conference on Syria is essential and necessary.

Brahimi said serious efforts are being exerted for holding the Geneva II conference, which is a follow-up to last year's international meeting in Geneva that drafted a peace roadmap for Syria but did not materialise.

Brahimi said the Geneva II conference must be based on the statement adopted in the first conference last year.