UN envoy calls for transitional government in Syria

Source: BBC News 30 June 2012

UN peace envoy Kofi Annan has said there is international agreement that a transitional government should be set up in Syria.

This could include both members of the government and opposition, he said after talks in Geneva.

In Geneva, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there were no preconditions to the proposed transition that dictated who should or should not be in the transitional government.

Saturday’s “action group” conference was attended by both Western powers and Russia and China.

Mr Annan also called for an immediate ceasefire and adherence to the UN’s six-point peace plan.

He said there should be access to Syria for humanitarian organisations and media.

Mr Annan said the conference had agreed there should be a “transitional government body with full executive powers”.

“We are determined to work together urgently and intensively to bring about an end to the violence and human rights abuses, and the launch of a Syrian-led political process, leading to a transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, and enables them independently and democratically to determine their own future,” he said.

He warned: “The action group has pledged action, and they are sending a message of determination and hope, but today’s words must not become tomorrow’s disappointments.

“The hard work starts now. We must work together to implement what has been agreed. We cannot do this alone. I hope all in Syria will embrace what has been laid out here and work with us to stop the killing and build a better future.”

Commenting on the story, Ribal Al-Assad, the Director of the ODFS, said:

“I welcome the agreement reached by Kofi Annan and the action group to work towards a national unity transitional government in Syria. A prerequisite to this is for all the Syrian opposition to unite and speak with one voice. It is imperative that the international community facilitates this process.

“Both sides should halt the violence and give diplomacy a chance. The only way forward is unity, dialogue and a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic transition. The alternative is an all out civil war, which would be a disaster for Syria and the region.”