Tomeh: De Mistura’s Plan Must Not Replace Demands for Safe Havens

Interim Prime Minister Ahmed Tomeh stresses that his government should play a big role in the management of the opposition-held areas, voicing concerns that Staffan de Mistura’s plan might be intended as an alternative to the safe havens proposed by Turkey, during an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadid newspaper. “De Mistura’s proposal is still just an idea, and has not yet materialized into a plan. We are concerned about the timing of this so-called plan which was set out in conjunction with Turkey’s calls for establishing safe protected havens along the Syrian side of the borders. Moreover, this so-called plan is still vague and we need further clarification before we make a final decision to accept or reject it.” Tomeh also said that “during our meeting with the UN envoy, we demanded the establishment of many safe protected havens in Syria so that a no-fly zone can be guaranteed.” A for the last Russian moves to push toward a political settlement, Tomeh said that Russia has contributed to the destruction and chaos in Syria through its support for the Assad regime and its blocking of three UN Security Council resolutions that sought to condemn the Assad regime. However, we are still hope that the Russians will change their position in light of recent developments, especially in light of the economic crisis that has struck Russia. We think that the Russians will eventually work genuinely towards reaching a political solution to the conflict in Syria. (Source: Syrian Coalition)