Negotiations now needed
Updated: 2012-04-13 08:07
(China Daily)
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It seems that there is now a halt to the violence in Syria as the situation was reportedly calm in the first few hours after the ultimatum for a ceasefire brokered by Kofi Annan, the joint envoy of the United Nations and Arab League, came into force at 06:00 local time on April 12.
This is good news as it might be the last chance to prevent the country from plunging into an all-out civil war.
China has welcomed the ceasefire as it will help ease the tension in Syria, and is an important step toward a political solution.
But hopes for a complete and permanent cessation of hostilities remain frail.
While the Syrian government is honoring its ceasefire commitment throughout Syrian territory, it has reserved "the right to respond proportionately to any attacks carried out by armed terrorist groups against civilians, government forces or public and private property".
It has also demanded written guarantees that the opposition will lay down their arms. However, the rebels are not a unified force with a clearly coordinated command structure, so it will be difficult for them to take unified action.
The different factions of the Syrian opposition should honor the ceasefire and take practical measures to implement Annan's six-point proposal.
The country will pay a high price if the violence continues and it will imperil regional stability.
Special envoy Annan is making active efforts to ensure the ceasefire holds as it is the only way to stop the 13-month violence and bloodshed that has claimed more than 6,000 lives by some estimates.
Western countries such as the United States and Germany, which have pressured the UN to take "more resolute action" on Syria, should also treasure this hard-earned chance for peace and add their backing to a political solution.
This is now a critical stage for reaching a political settlement and China is doing all it can to support Annan's efforts.
Negotiations between the government of President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian opposition on national reconciliation should be further brokered as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, all forces in Syria should attach the utmost importance to protecting civilians and should realize that peace is in the best interests of the people and the country.
(China Daily 04/13/2012 page8)