Syria war: US welcomes ‘milestone’ as UN endorses peace plan

The resolution calls on the secretary-general to convene representatives of the Syrian government and opposition “to engage in formal negotiations on a political transition process on an urgent basis, with a target of early January 2016 for the initiation of talks”.

Ahmet Davutoglu’s comments come a day after the UN Security Council agreed on a draft text for a peace process to end the conflict.

Russian support for Assad has been the main obstacle to worldwide unity, with President Vladimir Putin insisting the long-standing protege of Moscow should be allowed to stand in elections to choose any new administration.

Turkey’s prime minister has dismissed any attempt at ending the Syrian war that does not include the removal of the country’s President Bashar al-Assad. It also endorsed the continued battle to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants who have seized large swaths of both Syria and neighboring Iraq.

This as the UN Security Council overcame past differences and approved the time-frame and conditions for global peace talks on Syria.

Kerry said after the vote that the resolution has sent a clear message that “the time is now to stop the killing in Syria”.

The conflict in Syria started in mid-2011 after protests against Assad’s rule.

“For this to work, the process has to be led and shaped and decided by the men and women of Syria”, Kerry said. “As the Government and opposition delegations are getting ready, the United Nations stands ready to relaunch intra-Syrian talks.” he added calling for full participation of women in the talks.

Speaking to the Middle East News Agency on the sidelines of the worldwide meeting on Syria in NY on Saturday, Shoukry stressed the need to unify efforts to launch the peace process between the Syrian government and opposition.

He explained the strategy gave Syrians a “real alternative… between war and peace”.

But he also said that demanding Mr Assad’s immediate departure was “prolonging the war”. Ahead of the Council meeting, the foreign ministers of 17 countries met to try and agree the wording of the resolution.

During a break in Friday’s talks, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said he had presented a document compiling the groups each country attending considered to be a “terrorist” organisation.

A group of countries will join Jordan in developing that list, Kerry told reporters, without giving details.

The plan also calls for a cease-fire, but there is disagreement over which armed factions – besides the Islamic State (IS) group and the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra Front -should be branded “terrorists” and consequently excluded from any talks or truce.

Earlier this week diplomats said some progress had been made on the most hard sticking point in the talks: Assad’s fate.

Friday’s resolution says elections must be held in the next 18 months but makes no mention of whether Assad will be able to run.