Syria government says Assad ouster 'red line' ahead of peace talks

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ouster remains a "red line" for the government, the country's top diplomat said Saturday ahead of fragile peace talks in Geneva.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaks to AFP in Damascus on Feb 11, 2016. (Photo: AFP/Joseph Eid)

DAMASCUS: The Syrian government on Saturday (Mar 12) said the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad remains a "red line" just two days ahead of renewed talks aimed at ending the conflict.

The UN-brokered negotiations in Geneva are the latest push by the international community to find a solution to Syria's five-year war, which has killed more than 270,000 people.

Both the government and the main opposition group, the Riyadh-based High Negotiations Committee, have agreed to attend the talks after the last round collapsed in February.

Chief opposition negotiator Mohammad Alloush and HNC delegation head Asaad al-Zoabi were in Geneva on Saturday, AFP correspondents in the Swiss city said.
"The regime was counting on the opposition not to come to Geneva ... but it is here, and it will have a united stance, vision, and negotiating strategy," HNC delegation member Hassan Abdel Azim said.

The HNC has repeatedly called for Assad's departure at the start of any transitional period, but Syria's foreign minister said that was out of the question.

"We will not talk with anyone who wants to discuss the presidency ... Bashar al-Assad is a red line," Walid Muallem told a Damascus news conference. "If they continue with this approach, there's no reason for them to come to Geneva," Muallem said.
He said the government delegation would go to Switzerland on Sunday.
UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said the meetings in Geneva would not last more than 10 days.

FM URGES 'UNITY GOVERNMENT'

The negotiations would cover the formation of a new government, a fresh constitution and UN-monitored presidential and parliamentary elections within 18 months, the envoy said.
However, Muallem said De Mistura had "no right" to discuss future presidential elections.

"Neither he nor anyone else, whoever they may be, has the right to discuss presidential elections," Muallem insisted. "This right is exclusively for the Syrian people."

Muallem said the negotiations would aim to form a "unity government" which would then appoint a committee to either write a new constitution or amend the existing one.

"Then we will have a referendum for the Syrian people to decide on it," he said, adding that a federal division of Syria was not an option.

The HNC has also insisted on Syria's territorial unity, but says talks must create a "transitional governance body with full executive powers".

Chief opposition negotiator Alloush said Muallem's comments were "ridiculous and show that the regime is not serious about the political process".

On Saturday, De Mistura told Swiss newspaper Le Temps that although Syria's Kurds were not invited to talks, they should be given the opportunity to voice their views on the country's political future.

Regime backer Russia had called on De Mistura to include Syrian Kurdish representatives in peace talks.

Violence in Syria has decreased since a landmark ceasefire between the regime and rebels across parts of the country began two weeks ago.

VIOLENCE DOWN 80 PER CENT

Brokered by the United States and Russia, which back opposing sides, the truce appears to be largely holding despite accusations of violations.

Ending a visit to Saudi Arabia, Kerry said US and Russian officials would meet later Saturday to discuss opposition complaints of truce violations.

"Our teams are meeting today with Russia in both Geneva and Amman, where very detailed lay downs will take place regarding these allegations," he said.

Air raids by the Syrian regime killed seven civilians in rebel-held areas of second city Aleppo on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

It also said an Islamist rebel group said it shot down a regime warplane in central Hama province, but a pro-government Facebook page blamed "technical difficulties".

Elsewhere, at least three rockets fired from Syria hit Turkey's border town of Kilis without causing casualties, the local governor's office said.

Kerry said "perceived" violations of the ceasefire should not derail the peace talks.

"The level of violence by all accounts has been reduced by 80 to 90 percent, which is very, very significant," he said.

Kerry told reporters he had discussed developments in Syria with King Salman, top Saudi officials and Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

He said progress on the transitional government should take place "as soon as possible".

"We believe that the start of talks this next week in Geneva presents a critical moment for bringing the political solution to the table that we've all been waiting for."

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said: "I would emphasise that people see the future of Syria without (President) Bashar al-Assad."

The UN's top humanitarian officials said Friday the truce had brought "fragile glimmers of hope" to the humanitarian situation, but "it is just not enough".

- AFP/ec