It is reported that Turkish and Russian officials are discussing the contours of a ceasefire for Syria. The talks are built on cooperation between the two countries following a deal they brokered for the evacuation of opposition fighters from the northern city of Aleppo earlier this month. But rebels have spoken up in the past against proposals that would allow the government to continue its offensives around the outskirts of Damascus, the capital of Syria. A Syrian opposition official has said that different fractions were having vigorous discussions over the possibilities of a ceasefire. According to him, it was difficult to accept or refuse the matter before the details are known. It is said that a plan would be presented to all sides of the Syrian conflict. The ceasefire should come into force in all regions where fighting is going on between government forces and opposition groups. Terror organizations which will include the IS would be kept out of any ceasefire agreement under discussion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman confirmed that Russia and Turkey were in constant contact to prepare for planned Syria peace talks in Kazakhstan. In the UN, a top Russian diplomat said that a draft UN Security Council resolution that intended to impose sanctions on Syria for use of chemical weapons was unacceptable to Moscow which would veto it. The resolution has been drafted by Britain and France. What is however clear is that a transition towards peace in Syria is impossible unless the proposal involves President Bashar al-Assad. A peace in war-scarred in Syria is of course only to be awaited.
