UN should take the lead

With the Syria chemical weapons issue being re-solved step by step, the world has every reason to carry on this good momentum and create conditions for the Geneva II Conference on Syria to be held at an early date.

The progress in resolving the issue of Syria's chemical weapons is ready proof that the conflict in Syria should be put under the framework of the United Nations as well.

Demonstrators burn US flags during a protest against possible US military intervention in the conflict in Syria outside the US Embassy in Buenos Aires September 10, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

On Sunday, Syrian media quoting "a Western diplomat in Paris" said that the Geneva II conference would take place on Dec 12. This coincides with the remarks from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said on Monday that Russia and the Untied States think the meeting will happen before the end of the year.

The long-awaited conference is the fruit of the international consensus to find a political solution to the long-standing crisis in Syria. It would be a hard-earned chance for the world to bring together representatives from the Syrian government and the opposition to craft a political solution to the Arab country's deadly crisis, which bears every emblem of a civil war.

Yet, a lot of uncertainties remain. The divided opposition groups in Syria have dimmed hopes that the opposition, either based in the country or in exile, will be able to participate in a conference as a unified delegation.

The Syria-based oppositional National Coordination Body said on Monday that it will send an independent delegation to the conference. Last week, the Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition group based in Istanbul, agreed to join the conference on condition that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should play no role in a transitional governing body.

On the other hand, Syrian government forces have just regained two key areas from the opposition forces.

Such a complicated situation shows the UN should look beyond the chemical weapons issue and play a bigger role in promoting a political reconciliation in the country. The chaotic situation in Syria serves neither the interests of the government nor the opposition, nor parties from outside the region.

There might be difficulties ahead but the international community should not relent in their efforts to secure a political resolution to the Syrian crisis.

(China Daily 11/20/2013 page8)