Some of Syria’s leading figures met in secret this week in Berlin to overcome the sectarian divides that are tearing their country apart.
This is shadow diplomacy, away from the glare of publicity and political pressures, to find a path to peace.
Sunni tribal chiefs, some of whom have their own militias, sat opposite Alawite dignitaries with close links to the Assad regime.
A Kurdish Yazidi leader was next to a former Syrian ambassador to the UK.
A couple of dozen key figures from Syria’s most important families, clans and communities gathered around the table, including Christians, Kurds, Druze, Sunnis and Alawites.
The meetings, which are funded by private donations and European governments, take place in Berlin partly because Germany is seen as a relatively neutral country. The influx of Syrians since the war also means that Germany now has a large Syrian community.
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