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Roundup: Diplomats agree on timetable of speeding up peace process in Syria

Xinhua, November 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

World major states and regional powers agreed Saturday on the time table of establishing a transition government of Syria, and to hold an election within 18 months, but failed to bridge gaps over the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

After the one-day meeting here, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters that participants of the Syria talks agreed to start immediate talks with opposition groups in Syria, but the talks could be difficult, noting sides aim to hold an election in Syria within 18 month.

The remarks are echoed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Lavrov also said after transition political process within six month, the election would be held within 18 months, and led by Syrian people.

According to a joint statement released by the United Nations, the talks between difference sides in Syria should establish "credible, inclusive and nonsectarian" transitional government that would set a schedule for drafting a new constitution in six month, then a UN-supervised election would then be held within 18 months.

Kerry also announced agreement on the date, Jan. 1, for the start of talks between al-Assad's government and the opposition.

It's clear the talks made some progress over ending the ongoing crisis in Syria, while the meeting failed to bridge gaps over the role and future of al-Assad.

Russian foreign minister Lavrov said Russia and the United States are keeping in touch to prevent conflict in Syria, as both sides deployed military forces in the region.

However, the two sides still have differences over Russian military operation in Syria, as the United States said Moscow is attacking anti-al-Assad force in Syria while Russia emphasized they are fighting terrorism.

Overshadowed by the deadly shootings in Paris, diplomats in Vienna showed solidarity in fighting terrorism. Endit