UN expels Syrian regime reporter from Geneva talks

By Bayram Altug

GENEVA

The United Nations has cancelled the accreditation of the Syrian regime's correspondent to follow the Geneva peace talks due to his making insulting statements against the opposition delegation, a source said on Wednesday.

The UN source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said that Ruba al-Hajali, correspondent for Syria's Damascus-based Al Ikhbariya TV, was expelled from the building where the Geneva-6 talks were held on Tuesday.

When the opposition High Negotiating Committee delegation entered the building for the meeting with UN Envoy Staffan de Mistura, al-Hajali reportedly insulted Nasr Hariri, the head of the delegation, and the delegation itself.

The current round of talks is expected to end on Friday, as main discussions are to focus on a new constitution, governance, elections, and the fight against terrorism.