What are the main points of the new transition plan for Syria?

As the talks are still going on in Geneva between the representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition, some media have published details of what they describe as the UN plan for the future of Syria.

کد خبر: ۶۷۲۱۳۱

تاریخ: ۰۹ اسفند ۱۳۹۵ - ۱۸:۳۱

Tabnak -  As the talks are still going on in Geneva between the representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition, some media have published details of what they describe as the UN plan for the future of Syria. At the same time, it is said that Moscow is discussing the idea of establishing "safe zones” in Syria with Bashar al-Assad’s government.

Arab news outlet Al-Mayadeen cited the informed sources saying that in his new proposal to the Syrian government’s delegation, UN Special Envoy to Syria Stephan de Mistura raises three main issues regarding political transition in the country.

In the four-page proposal, a copy of which has been seen by Al-Mayadeen, the first important subject is about government issues. The proposal maintains that UN Security Council resolution no. 2254 should be taken into account implying the formation of a legitimate non-seterian government, representing all the Syrian people.

As the second main point, it refers to the same resolution which also raises provisions on creating a time-table and a roadmap for developing a new constitution. The third point relates to the election issue. In this regard, it emphasizes that the election should be held under the supervision of the UN and with the consent of the government, in compliance with the highest international standards regarding the transparency issues.

The proposal also suggests that the three above-mentioned subjects would be discussed in the negotiations in parallel with each other and the possibility of forming a working committee would also be considered to pursue these issues. It also maintains that the possible agreements are a complete package and without agreement on all issues, nothing is agreed on.

While the proposal is more focused on the practical issues related to the talks, some negotiations are also underway between the foreign parties involved in the Syrian crisis and Assad’s government. In this vein, Russian President Special Envoy to the Middle East Miakhail Bugdanov said that Moscow is discussing the idea of establishing "safe zones” in Syria with Assad’s government.

The idea has been seriously raised during the recent weeks by the new US President Donald Trump. However, Russia has been skeptical toward such an idea, insisting that any step in this direction could be taken only with the consent of the Syrian government.

However, it seems that Moscow is trying to act faster than the rivals in this issue, meaning that if any safe zone or "no-flight zone” is about to be established in Syria, it is better to be realized by Russia itself. In other words, Russia wants to reaffirm its position as the main guarantor of Syria’s security and not to allow Washington to improve its hand in the Syrian battlefield.

All in all, it is obvious that when it comes to the future of Syria, the situation on the ground and what is going on in the negotiations are closely intertwined. However, the very fact that de Mistura’s proposal is primarily focused on the recent UN resolution, creates at least a glimpse of hope that the whole process could be finally carried on by an internationally accepted measure; although it depends heavily on how the opposing sides in Syria will react to the proposal.