Brahimi Urges 'Real Change' as Opposition Rejects Assad in Political Transition

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International peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on Thursday called for "real" change in war-torn Syria and the installation of a transition government with full powers until elections can be held.

"We need to form a government with all powers... which assumes power during a period of transition. That transition period will end with (presidential or parliamentary) elections," the U.N. and Arab League envoy told reporters.

Brahimi made the remarks at a news conference in Damascus, during his latest bid to persuade Syria's warring parties to negotiate an end to the 21-month conflict estimated to have killed at least 45,000 people.

The Algerian diplomat had arrived in Syria on Sunday for his first visit to the country since October.

A diplomat at the U.N. Security Council said, however, that the veteran troubleshooter had received no support from either side during his talks in Syria.

Meanwhile, Syria's opposition National Coalition replied to Brahimi's proposal on Thursday, saying it would agree to any solution for a political transition as long as it excludes President Bashar Assad and his family.

"We will accept any political solution that does not include the Assad family nor those who harmed the Syrian people," Coalition spokesman Walid al-Bunni told a press conference in Istanbul.

"Our first condition for them is to leave the country," Bunni said in remarks translated from Arabic, referring to the Assad family and the regime's inner circle.

Brahimi is to hold talks on Saturday with Moscow, the most powerful ally of President Bashar Assad's regime, at the request of the envoy, Russia's foreign ministry said.

The conflict in Syria has killed more than 45,000 people since it began with a brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in March 2011, according to rights groups.

Western media reports have speculated on a new Russia-U.S. initiative that would allow Assad to stay in power. Moscow has already denied the existence of any such joint plans.

Comments 10
Thumb jcamerican 27 December 2012, 11:26

Nothing is going to change. The killing will continue, until there is nothing left to fight for.

Missing samiam 27 December 2012, 12:04

yeah, the 'reforms' that were supposed enacted were nothing putting bandages on a festering wound--nothing but window dressing and doesn't cure anything.

Missing mohammad_ca 27 December 2012, 12:55

The only "real" change is when this regime is finally gone for good.

Default-user-icon MUSTAPHA O. GHALAYINI (Guest) 27 December 2012, 16:13

u mean asswad ibrahimi

Thumb beiruti 27 December 2012, 16:54

It is a generous offer for the Assads to simply leave the country, rather than to have their bodies exported from Syrian territory. The Assads, if they are smart will take this as their last chance to emerge from this crisis with their lives.
Let the Syrian Army take over in transition for a sufficient time to allow for some thoughtful reflection. After the blood has been cleaned from the streets, power, heat and water restored and some semblance of normalcy is restored to the people, let the people then chart their future course in Syria.

Thumb shab 27 December 2012, 17:28

What does this guy want other than fame? Let the shoot it out and stop saving Assad

Thumb LEBhasNOhope 27 December 2012, 17:28

The low life giraf still thinks he can win this war. He will not leave. Not by his own power anyway. He will leave in a body bag though!

Thumb shab 27 December 2012, 17:29

What does this guy want other than fame? Let the shoot it out and stop saving Assad

Default-user-icon John Marina (Guest) 27 December 2012, 18:24

Even here in Canada we all know that any government installed after Asaad is going to be an Islamic Saudi Style, sponsored and budgeted by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. My community cannot comprehend the motives of the US behind the support of those mercineries. There are lots of guesses and speculations.

We are Lebanese belong to Greek Orthodox church

Missing gabby12 27 December 2012, 20:45

Hizbcocaine is going to lose a war, but pretend they were never there.