Syria peace plan wins unanimous United Nations backing

Talks between Syria’s government and opposition should begin in early January, the resolution said, though US Secretary of State John Kerry said mid-to-late January was more likely.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recalled two recent meetings on the Syrian conflict in Vienna, saying that the UN stands ready to undertake these important tasks, including a Syrian-led political transition and a nationwide ceasefire.

In a rare show of unity over the conflict, Russian Federation backed the resolution endorsing the start of “urgent” formal negotiations between Assad’s regime and moderate opposition groups early next month. “The Syrian leader had lost the ability and credibility to unite his country”, Kerry said.

“I think that is possible that a role that didn’t give (Assad) control of security apparatus might be acceptable to probably a large proportion of the opposition during a transitional period, but still not a long-term presence”.

It supports free and fair elections in accordance with the new constitution within 18 months under the supervision of the United Nations that responds to the requirements of governance and the highest worldwide standards in terms of transparency and accountability.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was singled out for praise by Kerry, for coming all the way to United Nations headquarters in NY for just “one day”.

“We are under no illusions about obstacles that exist”, Kerry said.

Turkey and US President Barack Obama have ruled out any solution that does not involve the removal of Assad, a position shared by the Syrian opposition.

In addition, the Security Council called on all parties to the conflict “to immediately allow humanitarian organizations prompt, safe and unhindered access throughout Syria for the most direct routes”, and allow for deliveries to all needy people, RIA Novosti reports.

“You can not fight terrorism without troops on the ground, and without a real incubator, a social incubator that supports you in your war against those terrorists”, he said.

These include the fate of Syria’s president, which groups could join talks with the regime, and which should be classed as terrorists.

The council’s adoption of a resolution on Friday backing the plan comes amid world powers’ growing sense that the top priority in Syria should be the defeat of the Islamic State group, which has exploited the country’s years of chaos and created a base from which it promotes deadly attacks overseas.

“As a outcome, our view has been that you can not bring peace to Syria, you can not get an end to the civil war unless you have a government that it is recognised as legitimate by a majority of that country”.

According to AFP, Judeh presented a draft list of “terrorist” groups that the ISSG nations will agree to exclude from the talks.

Kerry said that most ISSG members agreed that Assad would have to go, and many said so, notably France.

“How could somebody bring together a people when he has massacred so many?”.

The resolution came after Moscow and Washington hammered out a deal on a text.