Thursday, December 27, 2012

#Syria Transitional government plan could end Syrian war in a 'few months'

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UN envoy: Transitional government plan could end Syrian war in a 'few months' - CNN… http://goo.gl/fb/fsYQU

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U.N. envoy: Transitional government plan could end Syrian war in a...

U.N. peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi says the Syria conflict could be over in a few months if all sides agree to a transitional government.

CNN International @cnni · Follow

U.N. envoy: Transitional government plan could end Syrian war in a 'few months'

By Saad Abedine and Holly Yan, CNN

December 27, 2012 -- Updated 1220 GMT (2020 HKT)

Syrian rebels: Defection will spark more

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

NEW: Nearly three dozen people were killed in Syria on Thursday, the LCC said
U.N. peace envoy says he told Syrian officials of the need for a transitional government
Battles erupt at the airport in Aleppo, Syria's biggest city and economic hub
U.N. office: The number of Syrian refugees is expected to double to 1.1 million next year

(CNN) -- In his latest diplomatic push to end the Syrian civil war, U.N. peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said the conflict could be over in a "few months" -- provided that warring parties agree to a plan with a transitional government.

Brahimi is in Damascus this week meeting with President Bashar al-Assad and other officials.

"I discussed with all the parties the need to have a transitional government that will hold broad powers," Brahimi said in a statement aired on Syrian state-run TV.

He pushed for the implementation of the Geneva communique, a plan laid by world leaders in June that calls for a transitional government, an end to violence and lasting democracy.

Photos: Showdown in Syria

Opposition: Syrians killed in attack

Intense violence kills dozens in Syria

"The Geneva communique had all that is needed for a road map to end the crisis in Syria within few months," Brahimi said Thursday.

The plan united countries that had been at odds on how to handle the Syrian crisis. Russia and China joined France, the United Kingdom, the United States and Turkey in agreeing on the plan.

But a key unanswered question from Geneva is whether al-Assad could possibly be part of a transitional government.

According to the communique, the transitional government "could include members of the present Government and the opposition and other groups and shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent."

On the ground: Barrel bombs fall again

While the diplomatic dance continued, barrel bombs rained on cities across the country, dissidents said.

Government warplanes dropped explosive barrels in Aleppo and Homs on Thursday, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said.

Over the past several months, dissidents have reported aircraft dropping barrels full of explosives, nails and fuel onto civilian areas.