Obama says Assad must go for peace in Syria

The UN Security Council has unanimously agreed on the text of a draft resolution for peace talks in January and a ceasefire aimed at ending the war in Syria.

“‘Within a month or so, two months, decisions are going to have to start to be made about the devolution of some power” and the creation of a transitional body agreed to by Syria’s government and opposition with full executive power, Kerry said.

In an interview with the NPO2 channel, Assad said the Western anti-terrorist effort in Iraq and Syria was based on geopolitical interests rather than values and did not reflect a realistic approach toward defeating terrorism.

Under the resolution, the United Nations must craft a plan for monitoring a ceasefire.

“We see a country in ruins, millions of its people scattered across the world, and a whirlwind of radicalism and sectarianism that challenges regional and global security”, Ban said. He urged key powers, including Syria’s strongest allies Russian Federation and Iran, to match their words with actions.

“Achieving peace and stability in Syria will only be possible when – on the road to free and fair elections – a fully authorized transition government comes to power and the elements of the [Syrian] regime that had a role in the bloodshed, especially Bashar al-Assad, leave the scene”, the statement said.

He also restated Teheran’s position on Assad’s fate, saying it was the Syrian leader’s choice if he wanted to run in future presidential elections.

The resolution makes clear that the blueprint it endorses will not end the conflict, deep into its fifth year with well over 300,000 killed, because “terrorist groups”, including the Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front, are not part of the cease-fire. Non-Isis opposition groups continue to be bombed in Syria in coordination with the Syrian government.

Hammond took a swipe at Russian Federation over what the West says is its deliberate targeting of moderate Syrian opposition forces in air strikes. Each country sent its own view.

The United Nations Security Council reached agreement Friday on a plan that aims to end civil war in Syria. “Some countries sent 15 to 20, others sent more”, he told reporters.

French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said the negotiations would succeed only with credible guarantees on Assad’s departure. The group also met in Saudi Arabia last month.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with the army loyal to Assad fighting several opposition factions and militant groups.