Germany optimistic ahead of special UN session on Syria

Jan 27, 2012, 22:30 GMT

New York - Germany's UN ambassador was optimistic ahead of a special UN Security Council session on Syria on Friday that was to consider a new draft resolution aimed at ending 11 months of violence in the Middle East country.

'The call by the Arabic states deserves full support,' Peter Wittig said in New York before the panel went into closed session. 'This is the chance for a turning point.'

The draft is being introduced by Morocco, with support of Arabic and western nations who are pushing to end months of inaction by the United Nations.

The proposed resolution is closely oriented to the Arab League's proposals from last weekend, which call for reforms and an end to the violence that has already claimed 5,400 lives.

The decisive point is whether Russia and China will get on board. The two countries, close friends and weapons suppliers to the Syrian government, have blocked a much less ambitious proposal in October with their veto that would have criticized he government.

Backers of the new draft resolution are hoping that the presence of the Arabic League, whose representatives are to meet with the council on Monday or Tuesday, will bring more pressure on Russia and China to go along. But either country could still block a new attempt at a resolution.

The Arabic League's plan calls for Syrian President Bashir al-Assad to step down and for the creation of an interim national unity government in Damascus, which would be tasked with implementing an Arab plan to end the unrest.

The proposed government would include opposition leaders and be formed in two months' time.

'Another task of this government is to hold an election for a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution that will be voted on in a public referendum,' the league said a draft statement discussed by the ministers.

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