The Syrian government is willing to accept the a United Nations plan for a political solution to the country's brutal conflict, its foreign minister Walid al-Muallim told the UN General Assembly on New York on Friday.
"Syria will continue its fight against terrorism. The Syrian army is capable of eradicating terrorists despite the sacrifices and high price paid," he said, referring to rebels fighting to oust president Bashar al-Assad.
UN envoy Staffan di Mistura's plan reportedly forsees "non-binding consultations" between the government and the country's main opposition political alliance, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.
The three-phase plan reportedly proposes the formation of four working groups, made up of people chosen by the Syrian government and the opposition, to discuss “safety and protection, counterterrorism, political and legal issues and reconstruction.”
The plan sets no timetable for the negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition, according to pan-Arab daily al-Hayat.
Under the plan, a ceasefire will be followed by the formation of a transitional council with full executive powers and a joint military council comprised of government and opposition representatives, according to al-Hayat.
Al-Assad will remain as a figurehead during the transitional period, which will lead to parliamentary and presidential elections "with the supervision and technical support of the UN", al-Hayat said.
