United Nations hopes to convene peace talks between Syrian government and opposition on 25th January next year in Geneva. UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura’s office said he has intensified efforts towards convening talks.
His announcement comes a day after the killing of powerful rebel leader who supported negotiations. The death of opposition chief Zahran Alloush also appeared to derail a plan to evacuate thousands of militants and civilians from southern Damascus. Alloush, 44, was the commander of Jaish al-Islam, the predominant opposition faction in the Eastern Ghouta rebel bastion east of Damascus. The group has remained firmly opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and to the Islamic State militant group.
Last week, UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing a proposed peace plan to bring the regime and opposition together for talks in January. But no specific date had been given. More than 2 lakhs 50 thousands people have been killed in fight between government forces and opposition fighters in Syria.
The Jaish al-Islam appointed Essam al-Buwaydhani, also known as Abu Hammam, as Alloush’s replacement. Ahmad Tumah, the designated opposition Prime Minister told yesterday that he still intends to attend the peace talks in Geneva in January, Assad should not have any role in the future of Syria.