US, Russia meet in Geneva 'to end Aleppo bloodshed'

Staffan de Mistura told AP on Friday that "the writing on the wall looks as if eastern Aleppo's battle is virtually over," and he hopes the meeting in Geneva will lead to an alternative to the bloodshed that would surely come with the last part of the battle for the city.

Syrian forces and their allies have taken control of nearly all of the former opposition stronghold. Russia and militias allied with Iran and Lebanon's Hizballah have been staunch supporters of President Bashar Assad in his country's bloody civil war, now in its sixth year.

Civilians streamed out on foot in the wake of the relentless military campaign to drive rebels from their crumbling enclave. They joined thousands who have fled since November 26, seeking shelter from the nonstop bombardment and crippling siege.

Regime forces and allied militiamen say they control nearly 90 percent of what was once rebel-held territory - a figure the opposition disputes.

De Mistura said it would be a "major achievement" if rebel fighters were to be allowed to safely withdraw along with citizens who are trapped in the city who want to follow them.

[Click to enlarge]

"I myself have expressed horror at the idea that by Christmas we would have the final part of the so-called battle for Aleppo that could have ended up in massive destruction - no Aleppo left - and 200,000 refugees streaming toward Turkey," he said. "None of this may happen, or not to that extent" if an agreement is reached at Saturday's meeting.

De Mistura also suggested that the meeting could pave the way for renewed peace talks. "How many more battles do we need before finally people sit around the table," he said.

Meanwhile on Friday, the 193-member UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding an immediate end to attacks on civilians and all besieged areas in war-torn Syria including Aleppo. The non-binding resolution drafted by Canada passed by a vote of 122 to 13, with 36 abstentions.

The General Assembly also expressed grave concern at the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country and demanded "rapid, safe, sustained, unhindered and unconditional humanitarian access throughout the country."

The vote comes just days after the Security Council failed to adopt a similar resolution demanding a cease-fire in Aleppo after China and Russia vetoed it.