"To accept Assad means the continuation of conflict and chaos. That is why we cannot remain stuck upon one person and we must instead discuss Syria’s future. The vision outlined by the opposition covers this entirely. I think it is realistic, but countries that support Assad must see this too," Cavusoglu told journalists following a meeting with Syrian High Negotiations Committee (HNC) in London.
On Wednesday, the HNC unveiled a three-stage plan to complete a political transition in the war-torn Arab country. Said to be based on the Geneva Communique made in 2014 by international mediators, the plan allocates six months to finalizing a peace deal before moving on to the 1.5-year second stage, when a transitional government would preside between the departure of Assad and fresh elections. The third stage would see to UN-supported local, legislative, and presidential elections being held in the country.
Syria has been mired in civil war since March 2011, with government forces loyal to Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups. The Syrian government delegation, as well as three opposition groups — the Riyadh-formed HNC, the Moscow-Cairo and the Hmeimim groups — have been taking part in UN-mediated Geneva talks on the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
