Syrian Plan

From the BBC:
"Syria war: UN Security Council unanimously backs peace plan"

 

The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution outlining a peace process in Syria.

The 15-member council reached rare agreement on the issue in a session in New York on Friday.  The resolution endorses talks between the Syrian government and opposition in early January, as well as a ceasefire. The Syrian war, which is heading towards its fifth year, has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced millions more, the UN says. However, disagreements remain over the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The US, UK and France called for his departure, saying he had lost the ability to lead the country. Russia and China, however, argued against a requirement for Mr Assad to leave power as a precondition for talks. The resolution itself makes no mention of his future role. There is also disagreement over the definition of which armed groups fall within the remit of the ceasefire.

 

UN Security Council Resolution on Syria (No. 2254)

• Calls for ceasefire and formal talks on a political transition to start in early January
• Groups seen as "terrorist", including Islamic State and al-Nusra Front, are excluded
• "Offensive and defensive actions" against such groups - a reference to air strikes by US-led coalition and Russia - to continue
• UN chief Ban Ki-moon to report by 18 January on how to monitor ceasefire
• "Credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance" to be established within six months
• "Free and fair elections" under UN supervision to be held within 18 months
• Political transition should be Syrian-led

 

^ It will be interesting to see if this plan will actually work to bring peace to Syria (especially the areas not governed by ISIS.) Even though Russia and China don't want Assad to leave I have a feeling he won't be in power with this plan is going to be fully implemented. ^

 

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35138011