Cautious welcome for focus of world powers on ending Syrian conflict

Figures in the expatriate opposition warned against a joint US-Russian push for peace in Syria while many Damascenes celebrated the results of the Moscow meeting of Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and US secretary of state John Kerry.

When an international conference was proposed for the end of the month, many felt an uplift of optimism after two years of death and destruction.

Louay Hussein, head of Building the Syrian State, a domestic opposition group, said: “This month will be very critical for the people of Syria. If we do not lay down the basis of a Syrian solution now, we will not be able to do it again.”

He welcomed the “increased seriousness in thinking about the situation. This was the first meeting between Russia and the US devoted especially to Syria. The fact that Kerry went to Moscow is a good indicator . . .”

He listed several points that showed their seriousness: there was no call for President Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow and they warned of the negative consequence of a military solution and the danger of the country fracturing if the armed groups gain dominance.

Uniting factions
"Of course, agreement between Russia and the US will not be enough to resolve the crisis." A transparent and complete mechanism should be created to reach stability. "It will take time. We must unite opposition groups which have representation within Syria" to promote the process of pacification, reconciliation and transition.

A former political prisoner, Mr Hussein said the UN should replace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi with a mission of conflict resolution specialists.

He said a conference had to be carefully planned and pressure exerted on both sides to attend.

“Although the army has been more successful in some areas, its successes on the ground are not decisive. It is clear that neither side can win. Many Syrians are loyal to the regime because they consider the rebels worse.

“Negotiations will be tough and take time”, but once they start the bloodshed should diminish.

However, Mr Hussein said, “It will not be easy to get rid of the jihadis. Syria will continue to be a hub terrorist action” until the environment no longer supports extremism.

While the US may be able to persuade Qatar and Saudi Arabia to stop financing rebel groups, funds from private individuals will continue to flow to them.

Communication severed
Syria's internet-dependent consumers were shocked when the internet, international lines and some local lines were cut from late on Tuesday until yesterday evening. The blackout was apparently caused by a broken cable.