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| Image: Wiki Commons |
By Shannon Tiezzi
China appears ready to play a more active role in the Syrian peace process.
China has offered to host talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups as a step forward in the peace process. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that China would invite representatives of President Bashar al-Assad’s government, as well as opposition groups that are not linked with extremist or terrorist activities to the talks.
Wang made the announcement in New York, at the foreign ministers’ meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG). That same day, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution based on ISSG negotiations outlining a rough plan for a peace process in Syria. Resolution 2254 calls for talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups to begin in early January, with a nationwide ceasefire to follow shortly thereafter. The resolution sets some ambitious timelines: a move to “credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance” within six months and “free and fair elections” to be held within 18 months.
The breakthrough at the Security Council was seen as a big step forward in dealing with the Syria crisis. Four previous UNSC resolutions were vetoed by China and Russia; both objected to the assumption that Assad must agree to step down as a precondition for talks. That expectation is still strongly held by Western governments – French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called it “unacceptable” for Assad to stand for elections again – but the touchy subject of Assad’s fate is being left up to Syrian negotiators to decide.
Read the full story at The Diplomat