Government and opposition clash over Bashar al-Assad's fate
Geneva, 28 January 2014: Talks between Syria's government and rebels have stalled
in Geneva over the future of Bashar al-Assad after making small progress on prisoners
release and the opening of a humanitarian corridor to the old city of Homs.
The
opposition rejected a list of points the Syrian government wants to discuss because
it failed to mention a transfer of power to a transitional government.
In its
proposal, the Syrian government calls on the rebels to respect Syrian sovereignty,
hand over territory and abandon all forms of religious extremism. It also calls on
foreign nations not to arm terrorists, and refrain from providing them any ideological
and material support.
The Syrian government rejects any form of foreign interference,
saying that Syrians decide for themselves the future of their country through democratic
means.
Sources in the delegation led by Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Jaafari
stressed that the authorities are willing to discuss every point of its statement;
however, Hadi al-Bahra (a delegate from the Syrian National Council, SNC) rejected
direct talks.
Before the meeting, the BBC spoke with Jaafari about President
Assad's future. "It is too early to talk about," the ambassador said. "This is not
the priority. And it is not a part of Geneva I. This is a big, big lie when we speak
about President Assad to step down. [. . .] This is a misinterpretation of Geneva
I."
Although the Syrian government and the opposition began close-door talks
on Saturday in a tense atmosphere, the two sides have continued talking to each, said
UN and Arab League Special Envoy Lakdhar Brahimi who is acting as go-between.
So
far, no deal has been reached but both sides have agreed on releasing prisoners. Both
rebels and government said they would forward a list with the names of people held
by their forces.
The two sides discussed the humanitarian crisis in Homs.
Brahimi said that Syrian authorities ordered soldiers to evacuate women and children
from the city. Other civilians will be allowed to leave but they want their names
for security reasons.
Currently, 12 Red Crescent lorries are stationed on
the outskirts of the city, still waiting to carry out evacuees.Source: AsiaNews