Tuesday, August 18, 2015

UN Security Council agrees on new push for Syria peace talks

The United Nations Security Council on Monday agreed on a French-led initiative to renew peace talks in Syria, which was adopted by Russia and the other 14 members, despite reservations from Venezuela.

It was the first time in two years that the council agreed on a political statement on the Syrian crisis, which French Deputy Ambassador Alexis Lamek described as "historic".

But Venezuela, a non-permanent member of the council and an ally of the Syrian government, said it was disassociating itself from parts of the statement calling for a political transition – which implies an end to President Bashar al-Assad's reign.

Caracas envoy Rafael Ramirez said the council was setting "a very dangerous precedent" by supporting a transition that he said violated Syria's right to self-determination.

The statement was hailed by Western diplomats, however, as a crucial shift, albeit minor, in global negotiations on Syria.

“The statement gives us an insight into how things may be changing slightly – the fact that Russia supported this statement is a big deal,” FRANCE 24’s Jessica Le Masurier reported from the UN. A permanent member of the council, Russia has traditionally vetoed any Western initiatives on a Syrian peace plan.

New approach

The 16-point statement drafted by France had been under negotiation since UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura presented his new approach for peace talks to the council last month.

The peace initiative, set to begin in September, would set up four working groups to address safety and protection, counterterrorism, political and legal issues and reconstruction.

The council demanded that all sides work for an end to the war by "launching a Syrian-led political process leading to a political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people".

The transition includes "the establishment of an inclusive transitional governing body with full executive powers, which shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent while ensuring continuity of governmental institutions".

The council expressed "grave alarm that the Syria crisis has become the largest humanitarian emergency crisis in the world today," with at least 250,000 dead and 12 million people forced to flee their homes.

The statement was adopted a day after Syrian government air strikes on a rebel-held town near Damascus killed at least 96 people in one of the bloodiest regime attacks in the war.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)

 france24.com
17/8/15
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