The National Coordination Commission for Democratic Change in Syria (NCC) has rejected the establishment of buffer zones in Syria, considering it a divisive step, in contrast to the majority of the Syrian opposition forces which insist on the need to establish it to protect civilians in Syria.
The NCC announced its position after a meeting of its Executive Office, saying it opposes the establishment of a buffer zone, while welcoming the plan of the U.N. envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to freeze the fighting, saying it is "a successful plan", even though the envoy has yet to announce the details.
The NCC said it considers that the plan "paves the way for a politically-negotiated solution which was stipulated in the Geneva I statement about a negotiating process between the opposition and the regime".
The initiative of the U.N. special envoy was welcomed by the head of the Syrian regime as "worthy of study", without adding any further details, other than that any initiative to help restore security to Aleppo is welcomed.
The essence of the initiative refers to a freeze in fighting in Aleppo, and if the process was successful it could be applied to other areas gradually, to build confidence for a political settlement between the parties in dispute. However the envoy has not put in place any mechanisms for the plan yet, and the initiative does not indicate any intention to withdraw foreign fighters to other fronts, nor specify the parties that must sign up for it, or the role of international, regional and local powers. The initiative also ignores who will monitor its application and the mechanisms for observation and the legal and military guarantors for its success and continuity.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
