By Simon Louis (JO:) and Suleiman Al-Khalidi
AQABA, Jordan (Reuters) – High diplomats from the USA, Turkey, the European Union and Arab nations met in Jordan on Saturday for talks on Syria, as regional and world powers struggle over affect the federal government that may exchange deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
The administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden has begun dialogue with victorious insurgent teams, together with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which carried out a lightning assault that resulted within the seize of Damascus on Sunday.
Biden despatched Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the area this week to hunt assist for rules that Washington hopes will information Syria’s political transition, corresponding to respect for minorities.
In the meantime, Syria’s northern neighbor Turkey has for years supported Syrian opposition forces searching for to overthrow Assad and is ready to play an influential position in Damascus.
Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan mentioned on Friday that his nation’s embassy within the Syrian capital would resume work on Saturday, following a go to by Turkey’s intelligence chief this week.
Jordan, neighboring Syria, hosted the gathering on Saturday in Aqaba. Russia and Iran, who have been Assad’s essential supporters, weren’t invited.
Blinken, UN particular envoy for Syria Geir Pederson and EU overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas, Fidan and the overseas ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar gathered round a round desk in a Jordanian authorities. visitor Home. There was no Syrian consultant on the desk.
Arab diplomats met individually and issued an announcement calling for a peaceable and inclusive political transition resulting in elections and a brand new structure for Syria. The overseas ministers mentioned they have been decided to struggle terrorism, which they described as a menace to safety in Syria, the area and the world.
Blinken, who met with Pederson at his lodge earlier Saturday, mentioned it was a time of “each alternatives but in addition actual challenges” for Syria.
Arab diplomats taking part within the negotiations advised Reuters they have been searching for assurances from Turkey that it could assist an inclusive political course of stopping a partition of Syria alongside sectarian strains.
Turkey and the USA, each NATO members, have conflicting pursuits relating to sure rebels. Turkish-backed rebels in northern Syria have clashed with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The SDF, which controls a few of Syria’s largest oil fields, is the primary ally of the US coalition towards Islamic State militants. It’s led by the YPG militia, a bunch that Ankara sees as an extension of the Kurdistan Staff’ Celebration (PKK) militants who’ve fought the Turkish state for 40 years and which it has banned.
Blinken advised Turkish officers throughout a go to to Ankara on Thursday and Friday that Islamic State shouldn’t be capable of regroup and that the SDF shouldn’t be distracted from its position in securing camps housing Islamic State fighters. ISIS, in accordance with a US official. Turkish leaders agreed, the pinnacle of the American delegation mentioned.
Fidan advised Turkish tv on Friday that eliminating the YPG was Turkey’s “strategic goal” and urged the group’s commanders to go away Syria.
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