Rare bright spot for Syria peace plan

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 18, more than four and a half years after the bloody conflict broke out in Syria, the major powers finally agreed to pass a United Nations resolution supporting the peace plan proposed by Russia and the US for Syria. This is considered a rare bright spot for the not-so-bright future of this Middle Eastern country.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Serguei Lavrov with UN Secretary General Ban Ky Moon on December 18 in New York. AFP photo

After many difficult negotiations, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to adopt a document supporting the peace plan for Syria that the parties signed in Vienna on November 14.

The resolution will outline a roadmap for a political transition in Syria, with a focus on the rapid organization of peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition.

The powers asked the United Nations to bring the conflicting parties together in “early 2016” so they could “urgently begin formal negotiations on a political transition.”

The resolution also calls for a one-month ceasefire and demands that all parties to the conflict “immediately cease attacks on civilians.” It authorizes the formation of a transitional government and states that “the Syrian people will decide the future of Syria.”

Finally, the resolution would support the formation of “a credible, inclusive and non-partisan government within six months” with provisions for a new constitution and “holding free and fair elections within 18 months.” All Syrians, including those living abroad, would be able to participate in the elections.

After marathon talks in Moscow on December 15, the US received support from Russia for its peace plan in Syria. However, the main disagreement over the fate of Bashar Al Assad has always been the biggest barrier among the five permanent members of the Security Council. The resolution passed on December 18 did not mention the Assad regime.

In his speech on December 17, President Obama reiterated that Mr. Assad must go and that there will be no peace in Syria “without a legitimate government.” France even “guaranteed” Mr. Assad’s departure, which is “not only necessary for moral reasons but also to ensure the effectiveness” of the political transition in Syria, in a statement at the United Nations.

Chu Thanh

(According to Le Monde)