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11/21/2024 03:42:14 pm

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Russia, Turkey to Spearhead Syria Ceasefire

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

(Photo : Getty Images) Assad could remain in power under a new Syrian ceasefire agreement.

Turkish foreign minister said on Wednesday that Turkey and Russia have prepared a ceasefire agreement for the war-ravaged Syria, adding that Ankara will not relent on its insistence that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should step down.

"There are two texts ready on a solution in Syria. One is about political resolution and the other is about a ceasefire," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, adding that the agreements can be implemented any time.

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The minister's comment appeared to be an indication that talks aimed to reach a truce in the Syrian civil war are progressing. However, Cavusoglu said that a political transition will be impossible with Assad remaining in power, as the rebels would not be willing to unite around him. But it should be noted that insistence on Assad's relinquishing of office could lead to complications with Russia, his most powerful backer.

Last week, the Russian foreign minister said that Russia, Iran, and Turkey were in agreement that the priority is to fight terrorism in Syria and to remove Assad from power. The three countries also adopted a declaration in Moscow that will set out the principles that any peace deal will adhere to.

According to media sources, the three countries have a tentative plan in place where Syria could be divided into informal zones of influence. And Assad would remain in power for a few more years. Future discussions will lay out Assad's role, a senior Turkish official said on Wednesday.

"We put importance on the establishment of a transitional government," the official said, adding that the transitional government should be the one that meets the demands of the Syrian people.

Russia said the next talks will be held in Kazakh's capital, Astana.

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