Nevertheless, a commitment to a defined time limit for a transition would amount to an important new undertaking by Assad’s closest ally, providing a potential basis for future diplomacy at a time when Assad’s position has been strengthened by Russia’s decision to join the war on his side.
Advertisement
US State Secretary John Kerry said he believed that the chances for the diplomatic settlement of the conflict were higher than before. But his future is at the heart of all the talks.
“It was also agreed that the participants together with the United Nations will explore modalities for, and implementation of, a nationwide ceasefire to be initiated on a certain date and in parallel with this renewed political process”, said deputy FM, adding, “the participants will spend the coming days working to narrow remaining areas of disagreement, and build on areas of agreement”.
Even bitter foes Iran and Saudi Arabia will be sitting at one table along with their powerful partners, Russian Federation and the United States. That reflects the urgency all parties say they’re attaching to finding a peace formula. The YPG had pushed towards the border in previous fighting this year.
He says the oil-rich kingdom’s policy toward Syria has not changed, and that it will continue to support the moderate Syrian opposition. That essentially gave Assad veto power over his own would-be replacements.
Russian Federation and Iran have recently stepped up their military involvement in the conflict, backing forces loyal to Mr Assad. Neither side has expressed support yet for any new transition plan.
The Syrian civil war has killed more than 250,000 people and uprooted more than 11 million, sparking a refugee crisis throughout Europe.
“Sergei Lavrov and Foreign Minister Zarif and I and others agreed to disagree”.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told delegates gathered under tight security at a Bahraini luxury waterfront hotel that the timing of Assad’s departure and the withdrawal of foreign fighters remain the main sticking points to finding a lasting resolution to the civil war in Syria.
A Syrian army source said that Saudi Arabia and Turkey’s continued support for rebels meant battles would not stop.
But no agreement was reached on Assad.
“Where there was hope for more open, accountable, and democratic government in 2011, there is now – with few exceptions – more violence, fear, and chaos”, Blinken said.
They need a new constitution. They must figure out what to do about groups such as the Nusra Front, al-Qaida’s affiliate in Syria that has at times worked alongside Western-backed fighters. “Of course, it will be up to the Syrian people to decide about the country’s fate”.
Kerry, at the start of a tour of the five ex-Soviet republics in Central Asia, described Islamic State, as “a destroyer and it is threatening to take actions against America, Canada and Mexico, against countries all around the world”. But they disagreed over Mr Assad’s future. “Therefore, at one moment or another in this political transition, he should no longer be in power”.
Advertisement
In Alaska, U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter told reporters, “Our role fundamentally and the strategy is to enable local forces, but does that put USA forces in harm’s way?” Saudi Arabia has been among the main providers of military assistance to the rebels.
